About us

What is the IFR?

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has been set up to protect and promote the sustainability of English football, for the benefit of fans and the local communities that football clubs serve.

Its creation follows a long journey that began after the attempted breakaway European Super League, and a series of high-profile cases of clubs facing financial collapse. These moments exposed risks in the game and underlined the need for stronger regulation.

Our Objectives

Protect and promote the financial soundness of regulated football clubs

Protect and promote financial resilience of English football

Safeguard the heritage of English football

Our Current Status

The IFR was formally created under the Football Governance Act, which received Royal Assent on 21 July 2025. This marks the biggest reform to the governance of English club football since the Premier League began in 1992.

With many clubs facing financial pressures in recent years, the IFR is prepared to Act immediately. That said, meaningful change takes time. Our powers will be phased:

We will first have powers to take action against unsuitable owners and directors. This will enable us to take action when clubs are in crisis.
We will then support clubs to improve financial soundness - publishing licensing requirements in 2026, requiring clubs to hold a provisional license before the 27/28 season, providing guidance and support to clubs throughout.

We’ll work closely with the FA, Premier League, EFL and National League to make the transition to statutory regulation as smooth and cost-effective as possible - while meeting our statutory objectives.

We are consulting widely on how the new system should operate. Fans, clubs, leagues and wider stakeholders will all have opportunities to share their views. We encourage everyone with an interest in football to engage.

Our Powers

The IFR will have a clear set of powers to help build a stronger and fairer game. These include:

Financial regulation to improve resilience across the football pyramid and ensure clubs are sustainable for the long term

Stronger, statutory Owners’ and Directors’ Tests to make sure club custodians are suitable and aren’t using illicit finances, with powers to to act if required

Standards for fan engagement in club decision-making

Statutory protections for key club heritage issues such as home shirt colours, club badges and stadium moves

Backstop powers to ensure a fair financial distribution between leagues

Powers to stop clubs joining closed-shop competitions and breakaway leagues

What we don’t have influence on:

Refereeing of disciplinary decisions on the pitch

Ticket pricing or matchday operations

Individual supporter complaints about clubs or matchday experience

Player transfers, wages or league fixture scheduling

Addressing discrimination or abuse in football

Unfortunately, the IFR can’t intervene in every issue, but there are trusted organisations who can help. The links below show where you can go for support depending on the kind of issue you are facing.

If your formal issue is about…	Who to contact	What they do / how they can help
A complaint about a club or competition that hasn’t been resolved	Independent Football Ombudsman (IFO)	Independently reviews and adjudicates complaints once a club or governing body has completed it’s own process.
A Disciplinary or governance issues across English football	The Football Association (FA)	The national governing body for football in England. It can advise on wider governance routes or direct you to the right complaints route.
Matters related to a league or competition (for example, match rules of club participation).	Competition or League Organisers (e.g. Premier League, English Football League)	Each competition has its own complaints or supporter-liaison process. Check the relevant website for details.
Club-level engagement, ticketing, bands, or matchday issues	Your Club’s Supporter-Liaison Officer or Complaints Process	Most clubs have a supporter-liaison officer (SLO) or formal complaints route. If an incident happens on matchday, speak first to a steward or match official.
Discrimination, racism or inequality	A Steward, Match-Day Official, or the Police, Your Club, Kick it Out, Show Racism the Red Card	At the match, report discrimination straight away to a steward, match-day official or the police. You can also raise it directly with your club. Kick It Out supports fans, clubs and players report discrimination both online and in person. Show Racisim the Red Card is the UK’s leading anti-racism education charity, promoting awareness and inclusion.
Fan representation, campaigning or supporter rights	The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA)	Represents and supports fans across England and Wales. Campaigns for safe standing, fair ticket pricing and meaningful supporter involvement in club ownership and decision-making.
Anti-racism education or awareness work	Show Racism the Red Card	Delivers workshops and campaigns that raise awareness of racism and encourage action to make football welcome for everyone.