Season › 2024-25 › News The Independent Football Regulator is coming... Michael Kenrick 06/09/2025 44comments | Jump to last The Football Governance Act 2025 (the Act) received Royal Assent on 21 July 2025. The Act establishes the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), who will have powers to oversee aspects of the game in England. These include powers to operate a licensing regime, and to monitor and enforce compliance with requirements on financial regulation; fan engagement; club heritage; and will introduce an enhanced club owners, directors and senior executives test (ODSE). However, establishing the IFR is expected to be complete in the autumn, when the organisation is scheduled to have an independent Board comprising Executive and Non-executive Directors, a Chair and a Chief Executive Officer. In preparation for the full IFR operation kicking off, a series of consultations have been set in motion: Owners, Directors & Senior Executives test Information Gathering and Enforcement Sanctions These important consultations are open to all football fans and close on Monday 6 October 2025. In addition, the IFR has insituted two surveys: Accessibility Requirements Engage IFR – Share Your Feedback However, the last one is just about using the IFR website (what they call Engage IFR digital service) and not about providing feedback on the IFR or its work. Reader Comments (44) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Steve Brown 1 Posted 06/09/2025 at 16:35:24 Sack Richard Masters on Day 1.Abolish PSR on Day 2. Kieran Kinsella 2 Posted 06/09/2025 at 16:48:12 Hopefully as threatened and as they did to Togo etc FIFA will ban England from FIFA tournaments due to government interference. Then we won't have to have all these pointless international breaks. Moreover, FIFA itself might unravel as players say “I'd rather stay in the Premier League then earn less in another league.” Then maybe we can have a great reset based around the interests of fans and health of players when it comes to scheduling. But obviously FIFA are corrupt so, while Togo get banned as their president evacuated them after being shot, we will get away with government intrusion. Paul Kernot 3 Posted 06/09/2025 at 22:44:46 Steve #1. Here in NZ, a beer company named Tui had a great advertising slogan on billboards everywhere. They all followed the same idea i.e. a statement such as your two that was idealistic, often a Government proposal, with 'yeah right' after all of them. I could absolutely see those two proposals on a Tui Billboard. Matt Traynor 4 Posted 07/09/2025 at 03:13:17 Kieran #2,The age old question is who regulates the regulator? FIFA is at the apex, answerable to no-one. It's no coincidence that they, the major lawyers, marketing sales companies etc. are all HQ'd in Switzerland.Qatar in 2022 was obviously bought. The infrastructure was non-existent. Eighty percent of the gazetted hotel rooms were taken by teams, and the "FIFA Family", meaning the bulk of visitors had to stay in temporary accommodation, or neighbouring countries.Logistically they delivered an excellent event - they were always going to - the old airport runway (right next to the new airport) was brought out of mothballs, along with some terminal facilities, and at the peak, over 300 extra flights from Dubai alone were landing. But it was a very expensive exercise for fans. The next iteration in US/Mexico/Canada will be no different. Hardly the environmentally friendly event it was sold as.UK (like a lot of countries) has a real questionable record with regulators. Too many examples of regulatory failure / capture - most recently OFWAT.I expect the composition of the regulator to be a who's who of lawyers, and wealthy friends of government. Consultation with the "fanbase" will be token at best - just like the existing club advisory boards. Mark Andersson 5 Posted 07/09/2025 at 05:14:27 Makes me wonder why we even bother being fans. The greed by a few sucking the life out of the game. Eric Myles 6 Posted 07/09/2025 at 07:08:09 Is this IFR being funded by taxpayers or will it be funded by the clubs, and therefore the fans? Ian Bennett 7 Posted 07/09/2025 at 07:42:33 Both, I'd guess. The FA is funded by clubs, advertising & commercial and grassroots.The FA will be receiving grants from the government. Martin Farrington 8 Posted 07/09/2025 at 08:11:35 This is another example of government interference that only seems to be for financial self-interest. I don't recall any fans crying out for it nor having any involvement in its make-up or purpose. Why was it set up? Already showing they haven't a clue. Because, as Kieran rightly states, Government interference is prohibited by FIFA. And any investigation or application they deem is necessary upon the Premier League or FA etc would (in theory) lead to a ban in world football for the English game.Another dictatorial move by Stalin Starmer and his crooked Stasi ministers, supported by the pathetic wimps of a Tory party and other MPs. Living outside of reality and in the pockets of the less wealthy. Brian Denton 9 Posted 07/09/2025 at 08:22:09 Martin Farrington:"In the pockets of the less wealthy"?How does that work? Robert Tressell 10 Posted 07/09/2025 at 08:22:34 What is it precisely that people don't like about this?- constraints on owners?- club heritage?- fan engagement? - adherence to sustainability rules?As a club which nearly went bust under a poor owner with an idiotic approach to spending, surely we would share some of these thoughts?Presumably the backlash is because we'd rather any owners could spend spend spend in order to catch up quickly with the big boys. However if these rules are lifted then the existing big boys are much better placed than we are to go on spending sprees. Robert Tressell 11 Posted 07/09/2025 at 08:42:48 I was wondering that too Brian # 9. Especially when theres an overseas bankrolled charlatan gaining traction with the gullible at the moment Phil Owens 12 Posted 07/09/2025 at 09:04:33 Robter (11) Are you referring to the furry illegal Peruvian immigrant with a panchant for marmalade? Colin Glassar 13 Posted 07/09/2025 at 09:12:14 Steve #1, 100% in agreement with you. James Marshall 14 Posted 07/09/2025 at 09:33:15 Without knowing the true ins & outs of all this, my guess is it'll be a token gesture and barely anything will change.It's all probably going to be run by the people with all the money & influence just as FIFA and every corrupt Government (all of them) on the planet.The only way to enjoy football in its purest form is to stop following at the top level and watch lower-level football. Even non-league if you want it to feel more 'real'.Football at the top stinks to high heaven in pretty much every way, but we're all burdened with the curse of 'support' for life and that's the perfect business model for Governments and corporations to fleece us until the day we die — jeez, we even blindly indoctrinate our own children into it from Day 1. Martin Farrington 15 Posted 07/09/2025 at 10:27:27 Brian, you think that politicians are honest and above reproach and not taking from those who can least afford it?Two words: Food Banks. Martin Farrington 16 Posted 07/09/2025 at 10:31:03 Robert T,The "regulator" has no authority to intervene. Had they negotiated with Fifa and in turn Uefa, and come to an agreement, with the regulations in football then altered to accommodate government interferenc,e and this had then been implemented, then great. But they never. They have no business being in football whatsoever. Steve Brown 17 Posted 07/09/2025 at 10:41:07 Martin @ 8, I bet the Sheffield Wednesday fans are in favour of the IFR. Brian Harrison 18 Posted 07/09/2025 at 10:49:54 While the parameters of what the IFR will adjudicate on are set, how will this be implemented? When most issues are discussed by the 20 members of the Premier League, they then vote and the majority vote is accepted by all 20 clubs. I also wonder about where the crossover of power will be as we will still have Masters or someone else managing the Premier League. I know the IFR will look at all of football issues right down to grassroots football, but will they be able to persuade the Premier League clubs to give a bigger slice of the TV money to lower leagues and grassroots football?Will the IFR impose a salary cap on clubs, and how will they be able to stop the power of the minority over the rest of the Premier League be tackled? Also if some of the rich and powerful clubs don't like the new regulations, could this lead to a new Premier League being formed? And while many would say good riddance to the rich and powerful, sadly all the Sky money would go with them; that would mean even less money for lower league clubs and grassroots football. Robert Tressell 19 Posted 07/09/2025 at 11:17:35 Martin # 16, the regulator does have powers to intervene. That's how the legislation works. It's all publicly available online. You can read it and see for yourself. Given the massive loss to a community, livelihoods and local economy if the football club (as ours nearly was) is destroyed by incompetent owners (or dodgy owners) then it seems very much the role of government to step in. Anthony Hawkins 20 Posted 07/09/2025 at 12:34:20 Something needs to change with PSR; however, as some others have posted, these rules affect all clubs and removal of any cap would result in those with almost infinite budgets spending out of control.There needs to be a more balanced facility to allow cash to flow without limiting fresh injection. PSR at its roots was a great idea. As always, its implementation and interpretation is what's caused clubs frustration. I can't imagine the Premier League considered the uber rich buying a club. Any new rule has to account for these scenarios, rather than limit the capacity for rising clubs other than the Sky 6. Scott Hamilton 21 Posted 07/09/2025 at 12:54:35 There needs to be an analysis of what the likes of Chelsea spent in the years prior to PSR. Pick a period, for instance from 5 years before it kicked-in until it incepted, and work out their net spend. Teams should then be allowed to ‘level-up' by spending whatever the difference is between the club that spent the most in the 5 years leading up to PSR (e.g. Chelsea) and what they actually spent during the same period, allowing for inflation. They should be given 5 years to do this, spending the difference in addition to the maximum they can spend under current PSR rules.This would give the likes of Everton 5 years to catch-up.Not perfect but at least it would acknowledge the advantage that teams that spent astronomically - often doing so in dubious circumstances (again, Chelsea and the Abramovic money-laundering era) - have over the rest of us. Jerome Shields 22 Posted 07/09/2025 at 13:01:37 Hopefully we get more transparency. Robert Tressell 23 Posted 07/09/2025 at 13:17:51 Scott, your solution is fair - but the problem is it allows clubs to spend to an incredibly risky degree. Although Forest fans are probably very happy with the heavy year on year spending and the quality squad it has assembled, I expect some are also worried about what happens if / when the bubble bursts.Their owner is rumoured to have earned his money in "recreational pharmaceuticals" (and not the kind you can buy in Boots) - and they don't appear to have the commercial presence to sustain this spending. The future of their club is being gambled. Nice while it lasts - but as we saw with the result of the idiotic management of 2016 to 2021, it's not so nice when the party is over. Martin Farrington 24 Posted 07/09/2025 at 14:35:47 Robert, yes the govt have introduced legislation in the form of an act of parliament and that is precisely what I am on about. Govt interference which breaches FIFA rules and thus means a ban from world football for english clubs. They have no authority in the first place from football and can do nothing with their oh so fab law if english clubs are banned.Riddle me this, who is going to be on this committee. Starmer, the arsenal fan ? Maybe Andy Burnham or Sadiq Khan. I know how about the same people that deducted points from us on the independent committee. Before you jump in saying that they couldnt because conflict of interest etc, the head is a KC with "vast experience in footballing law" so would be seen as a catch to be on this thing.Which clubs support it ?If they do anything, they breach football rules and regs. So what do clubs follow ? As for people quoting Sheff Wed. Well many clubs have gone bankrupt and fallen into bleak times (Morecambe too). Would the owners have failed any test. Clibs will go out of business anyway because they cant sell and no one wants to buy, even if they are prepared to put money in. Name any govt interference that is a success ! Frank Crewe 25 Posted 07/09/2025 at 14:53:06 Robert @19,Well, what happens when a club moves to a new bigger ground in another part of the city, like we have? How will the community get along without a major Premier League club on their doorstop? Could the government regulator stop this happening? How much control does a club have over the running of its own business? Robert Tressell 26 Posted 07/09/2025 at 14:53:51 Martin, the Germans have introduced fan co-ownership requirements and not been kicked out of FIFA. A few third world countries which operate as kleptocracies etc have had issues but this is very different. No reason to expect sanctions etc for us. Robert Tressell 27 Posted 07/09/2025 at 14:57:03 Frank # 25 - read the small print if you're interested. It's all online. Chat GPT will give you a summary if you prefer. It is more about financial sustainability etc. Doesn't seem anything to give you grounds for your concerns. Brian Wilkinson 28 Posted 07/09/2025 at 15:28:49 Oh yes the regulators that made masters shit himself so much, he picked on a club outside of the elite to make an example of, and to show the regulators they can deal with it.If this takes the power out of masters hands, I am all for it. Andy Finigan 29 Posted 07/09/2025 at 15:41:29 Here here Brian 26. Never forget what that bastard did to our club but most of all our suporters. How he had the cheek to turn up at our last game at Goodison. At least one of our lot noticed him and gave him some stick as he walked past. Martin Farrington 30 Posted 07/09/2025 at 18:24:02 Robert, I am somewhat confused.Has Germany's Gov't implemented an independent Football Regulator similar to the one that is now with us ?Does it have power to sanction clubs and ownership bids ?Barcelona is fan owned. My issue is Govt has NO BUSINESS in football. If it had been requested by the clubs and been voted for or a referendum put to us dirty oiks (in a proper manner) and been voted as YES I would say fineThis is not the caseThe fact that it also runs against football regulations is deeply concerning. How will it be accountable ? Clubs have no say.At the moment they do have the ability to pressure the PL over issues and have done so.If as a group, they decided Masters should go, because, say, they no longer have faith in him, that would likely occur. They have the ability to structure PSR rules. And tell the PL what fulfills fit n proper person test. Yes. They havent. They should have. But, clubs have been satisfied. That voes out the window with an Independent Regulator.What's to stop added powers being granted ?Nothing.Clubs need to refuse compliance until it has been voted for and approved in a proper manner.Are we democratic England or communist Russia ! Robert Tressell 31 Posted 07/09/2025 at 18:58:44 Martin the Germans have gone even further. Their government have interfered to the point that fan (part) ownership is now mandatory. We will now have an accountable regulator subject to rules and regulations instead of wankers like masters wielding more arbitrary power. Chris James 32 Posted 07/09/2025 at 23:32:03 I wonder if this will bring us any closer to resolution in the City case... or proper explanation of how Man Utd, Chelsea and Co can get away with buying assets off themselves or carrying billions of debt? I suspect not!TBH I'm not particularly fearful of a new watchdog, if OFWAT, OFCOM, the Electoral Commission etc are anything to go by, they'll be utterly toothless, symbolic and largely pointless. Martin Farrington 33 Posted 08/09/2025 at 08:45:05 Robert, I just checked what the German regulator's remit is. They don't have one per se. But they do have a federal cartel office which is a competition regulatory agency. So not directly an overseer of football. It seems to just check their 50+1 rule is maintained.Whilst I am completely on your side regarding corrupt tossers like Masters, I am of the opinion that clubs have the right to decide what way they go, not via government approval, which is what this act is set up to do. Bobby Mallon 34 Posted 08/09/2025 at 12:20:50 There should be a law whereby no team can get loans to buy players.You just spend what you earn or the owner depends on his or her own cash. Mike Gaynes 35 Posted 08/09/2025 at 16:27:07 Elsewhere on the legal front, City and the PL have settled their dispute over the rules governing associated party transactions (APTs). City accept that the current rules governing APTS are "valid and binding." Big whoop. Meanwhile, the longest jury sequestration in legal history continues at nine months and counting, as the 115 charges against City are pondered in restaurants, cricket clubs and golf courses across the land. Anthony Hawkins 36 Posted 08/09/2025 at 18:13:23 @Mike Gaynes #35, I saw that. My cynical side says the two parties have come to an agreement which then influences the outcome of the charges proceedings.You settle this and we'll adjust the outcome of the charges.9 months is an insane timeframe. Is there a time span where the charges need to be agreed upon before being thrown out? Brian Harrison 37 Posted 08/09/2025 at 18:59:49 Seeing that the inquiry into Man City's possible breaches of financial rules finished in December 2024, then what possible discussions have taken nearly 9 months to come to an outcome. I just hope the IFR person demands that the commission who listened to this case print their findings within weeks of the person in charge of the IFR being appointed. Even the most complicated of murders don't take months to reach a verdict. I also wonder why our top journalists are not demanding answers to this drawn-out farce hasn't been resolved. Alan J Thompson 38 Posted 09/09/2025 at 05:43:11 It appears that Man City and the Premier League have reached an agreement that negates the need for further legal (court?) action and seem to have agreed some sort of, punishment seems the wrong word, arrangement as to future conduct despite City preparing to announce a new sponsorship arrangement with their own, independent airline.This leaves only the Commission who looked into the matter to release their decision and reasons for reaching same and any recommended "punishment". This could see a new definition of independent which should, of course, have been appointed. Semantics, eh. Derek Thomas 39 Posted 09/09/2025 at 07:28:05 Man City and the Premier League getting their stories straight before the 10 lashes with wet bus ticket punishment is wielded re the 115 charges and the whole matter swept under the carpet. Peter Mitchell 40 Posted 09/09/2025 at 08:07:45 Not sure about this - I guess we will have to wait and see how it works. I am generally in favour, given how bad the EPL, EFL and FA are at keeping their own houses in order. Without wishing to get into another political debate, Martin, there are many aspects of life that are far better run by Government than private companies. Indeed, many of the failures of privatisation under Thatcher and her successors are now having to be bailed out at great expense to the taxpayer - transport, water, steel etc. Private companies are great at exploiting the masses on behalf of the few, but should not be allowed anywhere near the things that make society work, in my view. Not sure whether this applies to football, however! Martin Farrington 41 Posted 09/09/2025 at 10:52:35 Regarding the Man City debacle… It is a joke.A while back, a spokesman for the Premier League – it might even have been the fuhrer Masters – stated that the commission comprise of a number of persons who actually do other things outside of the Man City adjudication, ie, they are not a dedicated panel!!They couldn't all get together during September and October, so late November would be the earliest time for them to re-, re-review — and whilst they are still mulling, no decision is likely until at least December, which probably means next year (depending where Man City are in Europe and the league, I am guessing). Steve Brown 42 Posted 09/09/2025 at 17:12:05 Robert @ 23, Clubs whose owners want to spend above the PSR limit could be required to put the equivalent amount in an escrow account controlled by the IFR.The IFR could hold it as securitisation against said club becoming insolvent or unable to meet daily operating costs for a set period of time, after which it is returned to the owners. Robert Tressell 43 Posted 09/09/2025 at 17:36:51 Steve # 44 you're right they could. Examples of similar things aplenty out there. I suspect that it might well deter some spending if the owner's money is committed this way though. The Saudis would probs see it as a way to transform Newcastle. Man City would have the opportunity to revitalise a waning squad. Not sure about Marinakis. Doubt TFG would go for it (or similar corporate owners) - or at least go for it to the extent the Saudis or other state-owned clubs might. Could even make it more difficult for us. Paul Kossoff 44 Posted 09/09/2025 at 23:41:48 Introduce an enhanced club owners, directors and senior executives test (ODSE).Does that mean Man City and Newcastle's owners, (the same evil empire) will have to sell up? You know, as in Abramovich was forced to sell Chelsea, guilty by no more than association and hearsay, you know him? Oh, your guilty! Will they stop a Jewish business man buying a premier League club, After all, along with the Americans, they want to turn Gaza into the Trump's Rivera of the middle East. So Americans will also, by association, have to sell up, won't they? The premier League and Mr Masters are hard enough to deal with, now we have a currupt government, who can't even put their own people first, will be putting their fingers in the, (three monkeys back handers. till.) I'm thinking the sooner football goes back to an amateurs sport the better. 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