Football clubs concerned as EFL set to axe its rogue owners test October 8, 2025 The EFL is planning to hand over sole responsibility for assessing the suitability of potential owners to the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), raising concerns among some clubs over whether the new government-backed body has the resources and expertise to make such judgements effectively. The Premier League, in contrast, will continue to operate its own Owners’ [...]
David Kogan: Chair of football regulator appointed despite ongoing inquiry October 6, 2025 Media rights advisor David Kogan OBE has been confirmed as the first chair of the Independent Football Regulator despite an inquiry into his appointment remaining ongoing. Kogan was named preferred candidate by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport earlier this year but questions about his suitability were raised after he revealed he had donated [...]
Birmingham owner Wagner breaks ranks over Premier League redistributions October 1, 2025 Birmingham City owner Tom Wagner has broken ranks with his EFL rivals over their attempts to extract more money from the Premier League. The thorny issue is among the top priorities for the incoming Independent Football Regulator after years of talks between the Premier League and the EFL ended in deadlock. Top flight teams currently [...]
Independent Football Regulator launches consultation on plans September 4, 2025 The incoming Independent Football Regulator (IFR) plans to have access to banks and law enforcement, as well as the ability to force rogue owners to sell clubs as guidance is published. The IFR published plans for a new Owners, Directors and Senior Executives’ Test, which they say will “raise standards and give powers to take [...]
Premier League: Is football the closest sport to perfection? August 14, 2025 Football never seems to go away. Between international tournaments, transfer sagas and pre-season tours, the game hums year-round. But last weekend’s EFL fixtures and this weekend’s Premier League matches mark something more definitive: the start of the new English season. The return of tribal loyalties, tactical debates, and the weekly rhythm that defines so many [...]
Chanel chief Leena Nair joins Tech Titans investor group at London Spirit August 13, 2025 Chanel chief executive Leena Nair has joined the Tech Titans group of investors who now own 49 per cent of London Spirit. The British-Indian executive was at Lord’s last week for the first game of this year’s Hundred competition between Spirit and Oval Invincibles after reaching out to Nikesh Arora, the chief executive of Palo [...]
EFL in advanced talks with Sheffield Wednesday owner Chansiri over sale August 6, 2025 The EFL says it is “in advanced discussions” with Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri over a sale of the financially stricken football club. Wednesday are set to begin the new season this weekend despite players going unpaid and part of their Hillsborough Stadium being closed due to a chronic lack of funds. The English Football [...]
Is director training the answer to football’s governance woes? July 31, 2025 A new study suggests reforming football governance by testing and training directors. But is the regulator capable, asks Ed Warner? Countless millions follow professional football in England, claiming allegiance to a favourite club whose fortunes are entwined daily with each individual’s emotions, their highs and lows in seemingly unavoidable synchronicity. Turns out these essential forces [...]
Multi-club ownership: Why EFL rule change will help in transfer market July 5, 2025 While multi-club ownership across the football industry continues to grow and remains a headache for Uefa, the EFL has gone the other way and taken the decision to remove restrictions for member teams to invest into sides across Ireland and Scotland for the first time. Under new regulations coming into effect next season, the EFL [...]
London Spirit: Tech titans eye speedy Hundred deal to beat Trump tax rises June 25, 2025 English cricket is set to be an unlikely beneficiary of US President Donald Trump’s tax changes, with the so-called “tech titans” who are buying into London Spirit eager to complete the transaction before the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is rubber-stamped by Congress. One clause of the Republic-sponsored bill, now with the Senate having been [...]