Why Independent Football Regulator could give fans more access than ever Sport Business 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 [...]
Football regulator to investigate bad club owners from next week Sport Business Time is ticking for poor football owners as the Independent Football Regulator will be able to investigate unsuitable club bosses from next week. The Independent Football Regulator was set up following the passing of the Football Governance Bill in Parliament earlier this year, with Richard Monks and David Kogan tasked with being chief executive and [...]
Hire process for Kogan to Independent Football Regulator like ‘mafia appointment’ Sport Business The selection of David Kogan as chair of the Independent Football Regulator has been likened to a “mafia appointment in Sicily sometime in the 1950s” at a committee hearing in Parliament. Conservative MP Simon Hoare, chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, made the claim during a hearing discussing William Shawcross’s report into [...]
Bullsh*t spin: Labour and Nandy slammed over Kogan football appointment November 7, 2025 Labour has been accused of deploying “bullshit spin” in response to a report criticising the government’s appointment of David Kogan as chair of the Independent Football Regulator. A report by Sir William Shawcross declared that Department of Sport, Media and Culture secretary of state Lisa Nandy had breached the Government Code in appointing the media [...]
Football regulator may limit spending at hard-up clubs October 13, 2025 The Independent Football Regulator will have the power to cap clubs’ spending, limit their use of debt, and require them to place money in escrow that can only be released with its blessing, according to its latest proposals. The measures are part of licensing conditions that clubs will have to meet in order to be [...]
How do you regulate the Independent Football Regulator? September 14, 2025 Former director and chairman of AFC Bournemouth, and current global head of sport at Pinsent Masons, Trevor Watkins discusses how to regulate the Independent Football Regulator This year more than any other promises major change for English football off the field rather than on it: the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) is now in the game. [...]
Nandy warns Morecambe and Sheffield change is coming August 6, 2025 Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has insisted “change is coming” for the owners of Morecambe and Sheffield Wednesday amid concerns of the futures of the football clubs. Morecambe’s 105-year history is at risk, with former Worcester Warriors owner Jason Whittingham’s failure to sell the club. Sheffield Wednesday’s players are set to fulfil their opening Championship game [...]
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 [...]
Football clubs suffering from too few directors, report warns July 30, 2025 All professional football clubs in England should be mandated to have at least three directors to prevent governance failings that threaten their existence, a new report warns today. The report, by LCP’s Sports Analytics and Advisory practice and governance specialists LawDeb, highlights worryingly small boards at many clubs in the top five divisions. Fourteen clubs [...]
Why the Football Governance Bill is good news for investors and fans alike July 12, 2025 Two big forces have been reshaping football and the sporting landscape in England: the surge in regulation, and the tidal wave of investment. With the Football Governance Bill soon to enter law, the question remains if, and how well, these two forces can coexist. The stated intentions of the bill are clear enough. Make sure [...]