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 [...]
Brighton owner Bloom looks to add French Ligue 1 club to portfolio May 28, 2025 In this week’s Ahead of the Game: Brighton owner Tony Bloom, football films, The Hundred sale, rugby rights and the National League. Brighton owner Tony Bloom is exploring a potential investment in a French club after completing his purchase of a 29 per cent stake in Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian this week. [...]
Football Regulator: Industry experts call out governance of sport May 27, 2025 Over 400 points have been docked from clubs in the English Football League since the Premier League launched in 1992, insight shared with City AM reveals. It points to an English top flight that has pulled away from the rest of the promotion-relegation pyramid ahead of the introduction of an Independent Football Regulator. Insight provided [...]
Couhig buys Reading from Yongge after EFL approval May 14, 2025 Troubled League One club Reading FC have finally been taken over by former Wycombe owner Rob Couhig’s Redwood Holdings after the EFL cleared the 100 per cent acquisition. The deal will see the Dogwood LLC subsidiary take control of the football club, which was plagued with financial issues under former owner Dai Yongge, as well [...]