Independent Football Regulator ready to act against rogue owners with new testing powers

• New IFR Owners, Directors and Senior Executives regime finalised — following extensive industry consultation
• IFR will have powers to investigate unsuitable incumbents from 12 December
• Potential new owners, directors and senior executives will need to meet IFR tests from May 2026
• IFR also publishes Information Gathering and Enforcement guidance enabling swift action on criminal or regulatory concerns

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has today published its final Owners, Directors and Senior Executives (ODSE) regime, paving the way for the IFR to act against unsuitable owners.

The IFR’s new ODSE test marks a major step in the governance of English football with investors and leaders now required to demonstrate financial soundness and competence so they can be good custodians for clubs.

The powers, due to come online on December 12, will enable the IFR to take action against unsuitable owners, directors and senior executives, helping the regulator deliver against its core mission to protect clubs and make the game financially sustainable.

The regime will be widened next year when all new club owners, directors and senior executives will need to be approved by the IFR ODSE test. This is expected to take place from May 2026.

IFR Chair David Kogan said:

“Following Royal Assent in July, the IFR has been steadily developing its regulatory regime through a process of public consultation over its new powers.

“This is the latest step to ensure that the precepts of the Act will be followed to ensure stability and sustainability are reinforced throughout the football pyramid.”

IFR CEO Richard Monks said:

“A new era for football governance is here. The test applies to every club across the top five tiers, and we have the tools to act quickly to help foster sustainable investment in the game.

“We will be able to gather information, investigate and demand action — including, in the most serious cases, the removal of an unsuitable owner.”

The new ODSE test, sits alongside the IFR’s Information Gathering and Enforcement (IGE) guidance, also published today. This guidance sets out how the IFR will gather the information it needs, including working with agencies such as the Serious Fraud Office, National Crime Agency and international law enforcement agencies.

Both the ODSE test and guidance have been developed through a formal public consultation with clubs, competition owners, fans and industry stakeholders — alongside extensive club engagement. This included our inaugural IFR conference attended by 110 clubs and 69 responses to the consultation.

The IFR has listened to feedback from clubs - clarifying which senior individuals fall under the regime and providing more detail about how incumbent owners will be treated.

The IFR has also clarified how it will request and handle data in its IGE guidance. At the same time, it has reinforced its commitment to reducing administrative burden and avoiding unnecessary red tape for clubs.

The regime will go further than ever before. It will hold owners, directors and senior executives to higher standards than currently exist and apply to a larger pool of positions.  The IFR will seek to work with clubs to resolve issues prior to launching any investigative action and enforcement.

The publication of the IFR’s ODSE regime builds upon the recent action by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to designate clubs and competitions in scope via its Specified Competition Regulations, published on Monday 24 November.

Alongside this work, the IFR continues to consult with clubs, fans and competition organisers on its new licensing regime that will form the basis of its work to help protect English football’s long-term future.

All regulated clubs will be required to apply for a provisional licence during the 2026/27 football season.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• The Owners, Directors and Senior Executives consultation response will be available via our website on Friday 5 December at 00.01.  
• The Information Gathering and Enforcement consultation response will be available via our website on Friday 5 December at 00.01.  
• The IFR has also published consultations on its Licensing Regime, which can be found here. 
• The IFR will publish its Sanctions regime consultation response by Friday 12 December.