independent football regulator Archives

Sunday 25 January 2026 4:07 am
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Friday 23 January 2026 1:17 pm

Football’s new regulator may well shine a light into the boardroom

Football’s new regulator may well shine a light into the dimmer corners of the beautiful game: its legal disputes.

For decades, the most high-stakes legal battles in English football have been resolved behind closed doors. Whether it’s the intricacies of Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Manchester City’s infamous 115 charges, or Associated Party Transactions, the theatre of choice has traditionally been private arbitration, governed by tight confidentiality rules.

The arrival of the Football Governance Act 2025 and the birth of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) looks set to alter this culture of confidentiality. Clubs, individuals and organisations that are directly affected by decisions from the IFR will have the power to challenge these in the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT).

It was a relatively tucked-away point in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Impact Assessment on the Football Governance Bill last July, but moving the final word on some football disputes to the CAT could usher in a new level of transparency.

Open and honest

Table of Contents

1. Open and honest
2. Regulator decisions
3. Feeling the pinch
4. Similarly tagged content:
5. Sections
6. Categories
7. People & Organisations
8. Related Topics
9. What specific powers will teh Independent Football Regulator grant to clubs in order to increase fan access and engagement?
10. Why an Independent Football Regulator Could Give Fans More Access Than Ever
11. Understanding the Need for Regulation
12. Key Powers of the Independent Football Regulator
13. How Increased Fan Engagement Translates to Access
14. The Role of Supporters’ Trusts
15. Case Study: Germany’s “50+1” Rule
16. Challenges and Potential pitfalls

Under the existing system, while the final outcomes of legal disputes can sometimes be published, the full cut-and-thrust of the evidence, the transcripts of the hearings, and the granular details of the arguments often remain shielded from public view.

The speculation over City’s challenges to the 115 charges are testament to the issues caused by this system: fans often fill the vacuum of information with their own hot takes.

The IFR changes the calculus. Its decisions are subject to the oversight of the CAT. Under the CAT’s rules, the starting point is clear: hearings are held in public.

Crucially, not all decisions from the IFR can be appealed to the CAT. Decisions deemed to have the highest impact on clubs, individuals and others – including the suspension of a license to operate, the suitability of a new owner or officer of a club, and both disqualification or removal or a club owner – can be directly appealed to the CAT.

Other “reviewable decisions” – the IFR’s catchy phrase to denote actions it takes that can be challenged or re-examined – will go through a judicial review process in the CAT to check that the IFR acted legally, rationally and fairly.

These decisions must first be internally reviewed by the IFR Board or an expert panel before a full-blown review by the CAT, and include financial penalties issued to clubs, decisions about moving a home ground or changing the club’s name, crest or shirt colours.

Regulator decisions

What’s more, an appeal to the CAT can be brought by any person with a “sufficient interest”, raising the prospect that players or even fan associations become involved in these cases.

A gripe that I often hear from London’s court reporters is that, while justice is open in theory, it is clunky in practice. Documents that should be accessible on the court’s infamous e-file often take weeks to become available, and delays are the enemy of newsworthiness.

The CAT is a more modern court than some of its compatriots, particularly the Royal Courts of Justice and its more 21st century cousin in the Rolls Building. Live streaming is routinely available for court hearings in the CAT, and its website and documents are easy to navigate by comparison.

For football’s institutional investors and club owners, this is a significant shift. Witness testimonies, financial disclosures and the cross-examination of executives could, for the first time, be accessible to the media and the public in real-time.

While “confidentiality rings” will no doubt still exist to protect sensitive information, the CAT’s default position of open justice means that some of football’s legal battles could be switched from private to public.

Feeling the pinch

These changes come at a time when legal spending from clubs, governing bodies and leagues is snowballing. Financial disclosures revealed that the Premier League’s legal spend topped £45m in the 2023-24 seasonan eye-watering 600 per cent higher than its estimate before the season started.

Individual clubs are feeling the pinch too. From the multi-year battle over Associated Party Transactions (APT) to the points-deduction defences mounted by Everton and Nottingham Forest, legal fees are now a line item that can legitimately impact a club’s financial planning.

The IFR’s arrival adds a third layer of regulatory risk. Clubs must navigate the requirements of their domestic league, the scrutiny of Uefa’s financial regulations for those fortunate to compete in Europe, and now the IFR’s new rules. With the CAT acting as the new specialist court for appeals, the legal arms race is unlikely to slow down.

I wrote this time last year that 2024 was a record year for UK newspaper reports of football’s legal disputesaccording to primary research conducted by Thorndon Partners. The increased potential for public scrutiny when clubs and individuals inevitably challenge the new regulator in the CAT might well see that record broken in years to come.

Charles McKeon is the co-founder of Thorndon Partners

What specific powers will teh Independent Football Regulator grant to clubs in order to increase fan access and engagement?

Why an Independent Football Regulator Could Give Fans More Access Than Ever

The landscape of English football is on the cusp of significant change. For years, fans have voiced concerns about financial disparities, ownership structures, and a perceived disconnect between the game’s governing bodies and the people who fuel it – the supporters.Now, with the establishment of an Independent Football Regulator (IFR), a new era of fan engagement and access is possibly dawning. But what exactly will this regulator do, and how will it translate into tangible benefits for those who attend matches week in, week out?

Understanding the Need for Regulation

Historically, the Premier League and the Football Association (FA) have largely self-regulated. While they’ve implemented rules, critics argue these haven’t always prioritized the long-term health of the game or the interests of fans. The collapse of clubs like Bury FC in 2019, and the near-misses of others, highlighted the vulnerabilities within the current system. The failed European Super League proposal in 2021 further underscored the need for independent oversight, demonstrating how quickly the game’s foundations could be threatened by self-serving decisions.

The IFR, born from the Fan-Led Review conducted by Tracey Crouch MP, aims to address these issues by providing a layer of independent scrutiny and enforcement.It’s about creating a more sustainable and equitable football pyramid, and crucially, giving fans a stronger voice.

Key Powers of the Independent Football Regulator

The IFR isn’t just a symbolic gesture; it’s equipped with real power. Here’s a breakdown of its core functions and how they’ll impact fan access:

* Financial Sustainability: The regulator will implement and enforce financial rules designed to prevent clubs from overspending and falling into financial distress.This includes a strengthened fit and proper persons test for owners and directors, ensuring those in charge have the financial resources and ethical standing to run a club responsibly. A more stable financial footing for clubs across all leagues directly benefits fans by safeguarding the future of their teams.

* Fan Engagement: This is arguably the most significant area for increased access. The IFR will have the power to require clubs to establish and adhere to fan engagement plans. These plans will need to demonstrate genuine consultation with supporters on key decisions, including stadium changes, kit designs, and even ticket pricing.

* Ticket Allocation & Pricing: While the IFR won’t directly control ticket prices, it can mandate that clubs prioritize home fans in ticket allocation, particularly for high-demand matches. It can also scrutinize pricing strategies to ensure they are fair and reasonable,preventing exploitative practices.

* Stadium Relocation & Progress: Any proposed stadium relocation or significant redevelopment will require IFR approval. This provides a crucial opportunity for fans to voice their concerns and ensure that any changes benefit the wider community, not just the club’s owners.

* Protecting Club Heritage: the regulator will have a duty to protect the cultural heritage of football clubs, preventing actions that could fundamentally alter their identity or connection to their local communities.

How Increased Fan Engagement Translates to Access

The IFR’s focus on fan engagement isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about fundamentally shifting the power dynamic. Here’s how this will likely manifest in increased access for supporters:

Formal fan Forums: Clubs will be compelled to establish robust fan forums with genuine influence. These forums won’t just be advisory bodies; they’ll have a seat at the table when significant decisions are made.
Consultation on Key Decisions: Before implementing changes to stadium capacity, matchday experience, or even club branding, clubs will be legally obligated to consult with fans and demonstrate how their feedback has been considered.
Clarity in Ownership: The strengthened fit and proper persons test and increased scrutiny of club ownership will provide fans with greater transparency about who is running their club and their motivations.
Improved Matchday Experience: Fan engagement plans could include initiatives to improve the matchday experience, such as better transport links, more affordable concessions, and enhanced facilities.
Greater input on Club Strategy: Fans may gain opportunities to contribute to the club’s overall strategic direction, ensuring it aligns with the values and aspirations of the fanbase.

The Role of Supporters’ Trusts

Supporters’ Trusts are poised to play a pivotal role in this new landscape. They are ideally positioned to represent the collective voice of the fanbase and engage effectively with the IFR and their clubs. Strengthening these trusts and encouraging wider membership will be crucial for maximizing fan influence. The Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) will also be a key advocate, working to ensure the IFR’s powers are used effectively.

Case Study: Germany’s “50+1” Rule

Germany’s “50+1” rule,which requires clubs to retain majority voting rights for members,offers a potential model for fan influence. While not a perfect system,it demonstrates how fan ownership and control can contribute to financial stability and a stronger connection between clubs and their communities.The IFR doesn’t propose a direct equivalent of 50+1, but it aims to achieve similar outcomes through regulation and fan engagement.

Challenges and Potential pitfalls

While the IFR represents a