Brighton and Hove Albion only Premier League club ready for regulator September 10, 2025 Brighton and Hove Albion are the only club in the Premier League or Championship rated “regulator ready” by a damning new study. The research by lobby group Fair Game paints a dire picture of English football’s finances, suggesting almost half of clubs in the top four leagues are “running on empty”. It comes ahead of [...]
Ex-FA chief Alex Horne: Club game, regulator and football finance September 7, 2025 Since September began the world of football has continued to offer talking point after talking point. The Premier League transfer window closed to bring the curtain down on a summer splurge which topped £3bn for the first time; the Independent Football Regulator published its first piece of official policy ahead of its November detachment from [...]
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 [...]
Ahead of the Game: Fifa eyes Morocco over Spain as 2030 World Cup HQ August 27, 2025 Fifa is in advanced discussions about basing the headquarters of the 2030 World Cup in the Moroccan capital Rabat. The centenary World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with the opening three games to be held in Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay in a nod to the competition’s roots. The 2026 World Cup [...]
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 [...]
Daniel Levy: Man City verdict taken far too long and multi-club needs controls August 4, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has called for a swift conclusion to Manchester City’s legal battle with the Premier League, saying the process “has gone on for far too long”. Less than two weeks before the start of a new top-flight season, more than 100 charges that City breached financial rules remain unresolved, despite an [...]
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 [...]
Beer we go: Football alcohol ban could be reviewed as MPs prepare to vote July 8, 2025 MPs could be asked to vote today on proposals to review the ban on football supporters consuming alcohol in the stands at matches. Fans have been prohibited from drinking in view of the pitch in the top five tiers of English professional football for the last 40 years. But that legislation could be reviewed as [...]
Premier League operating profit hits five-year high as PSR bites June 12, 2025 Premier League clubs recorded their highest collective operating profit since 2019 last year as controversial PSR regulations enforced a greater emphasis on balancing the books. Aggregate operating profits among the 20 teams in the top division increased by 36 per cent to £533m in 2023-24, according to Deloitte’s latest Annual Review of Football Finance published [...]