UK Act of Parliament 2025 United Kingdom

Football Governance Act 2025

Read the Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Enforced by
IFR
Status
In Force
Penalty ceiling
Prosecution 2 of 87 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 1 carries different penalties and 84 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person20 Trader1 Director or Officer1

Plus 65 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2679 other Acts
Trader — also bound by 863 other Acts
Companies Act 2006 243 duties
Companies Act 1985 85 duties
Director or Officer — also bound by 482 other Acts
Companies Act 2006 126 duties

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

Purpose, overview and key definitions

0 of 4 sections shown
4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.001 Purpose and overview (opens in a new tab)
s.002 Key definitions (opens in a new tab)
s.003 Meaning of “owner” etc (opens in a new tab)
s.004 Meanings of “officer” and “senior manager” etc (opens in a new tab)
Part 2

The Independent Football Regulator

5 of 10 sections shown
s.007 The IFR’s general duties etc (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must act in line with its objectives and monitor complianceStatutory regulator
s.010 State of the game report (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must prepare and publish a state of the game reportStatutory regulator
s.012 Guidance published by the IFR (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must publish and consult on discretionary licence guidanceStatutory regulator
s.013 Guidance published by the Secretary of State (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must publish and lay football governance guidance after consultationCrown / Minister / Government department
s.014 Annual report (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must submit annual report on its activities to the Secretary of StateStatutory regulator
5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.005 Establishment of the IFR (opens in a new tab)
s.006 The IFR’s objectives (opens in a new tab)
s.008 The IFR’s regulatory principles (opens in a new tab)
s.009 Transfer schemes (opens in a new tab)
s.011 Football governance statement (opens in a new tab)
Part 3

Operating licences

6 of 11 sections shown
s.017 Grant of provisional operating licence (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must grant or refuse provisional operating licence applications fairlyStatutory regulator
s.018 Grant of full operating licence (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must grant full operating licence when clubs meet the testStatutory regulator
s.020 Mandatory licence conditions (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must attach mandatory licence conditions to every club operating licenceStatutory regulator
s.023 Procedure for attaching or varying financial discretionary licence conditions (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must consult clubs before imposing financial licence conditionsStatutory regulator
s.024 Commitments in lieu of financial discretionary licence conditions (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Honour any commitment accepted by the IFR in lieu of a licence conditionAny Person
s.025 Procedure for attaching or varying other discretionary licence conditions (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must consult clubs before attaching or varying certain licence conditionsStatutory regulator
5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.015 Operating licences (opens in a new tab)
s.016 Application for provisional operating licence (opens in a new tab)
s.019 Revocation and cessation of operating licence (opens in a new tab)
s.021 Discretionary licence conditions (opens in a new tab)
s.022 Scope of powers to attach or vary discretionary licence conditions (opens in a new tab)
Part 4

Owners and officers of regulated clubs: suitability etc

12 of 19 sections shown
s.027 Duties to notify IFR of prospective new owner or officer (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Notify IFR of prospective new owner or officerTrader
s.028 Determination of suitability required for new owner (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must decide whether prospective football club owners are suitableStatutory regulator
s.029 Determination of suitability required for new officer (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must determine suitability of proposed new football club officersStatutory regulator
s.030 Becoming an owner or officer without a determination (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must act on owners/officers who took roles without approvalStatutory regulator
s.031 Opportunity to make representations about proposed negative determinations (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must give notice and consider representations before negative determinationsStatutory regulator
s.032 Determinations under sections 28 and 29: time limits (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must determine owner/officer applications within statutory time limitsStatutory regulator
s.033 Duties to notify IFR of change in circumstances relating to incumbent owner or officer (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Notify the IFR of material changes affecting owner or officer suitabilityAny Person
s.036 Opportunity to make representations about proposed negative findings (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must give notice and consider representations before a negative findingStatutory regulator
s.037 Matters relevant to determinations (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must consider specified factors when assessing fitness of individualsStatutory regulator
s.039 Removal directions: owners (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must direct unsuitable club owners to sell their stakeStatutory regulator
s.040 Removal directions: officers (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must direct removal of unsuitable club officersStatutory regulator
s.044 Orders under section 43: procedure, costs and liabilities (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must consult and notify before ownership removal ordersStatutory regulator
7 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.026 Part 4: overview and interpretation (opens in a new tab)
s.034 Incumbent owners (opens in a new tab)
s.035 Incumbent officers (opens in a new tab)
s.038 Disqualification orders (opens in a new tab)
s.041 Directions relating to unsuitable owners and officers (opens in a new tab)
s.042 Orders and directions effecting alternative officer arrangements (opens in a new tab)
s.043 Ownership removal orders (opens in a new tab)
Part 5

Duties on clubs and competition organisers etc

10 of 11 sections shown
s.045 Duty not to operate a team in relation to a prohibited competition (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Do not operate a team in a competition prohibited by the IFRAny Person
s.046 Duty not to dispose etc of home ground without approval (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Notify IFR and get approval before selling or mortgaging your home groundAny Person
s.047 Duty not to appoint administrator without approval (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Notify IFR and get written approval before appointing an administratorAny Person
s.048 Duty not to relocate without approval (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Notify IFR and obtain approval before relocating home matchesAny Person
s.049 Duty not to change crest, home shirt colours or name without approval (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Get fan or FA approval before changing club identityAny Person
s.050 Duty to notify of changes in circumstances relevant to the IFR’s functions (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Notify IFR of material changes in circumstancesAny Person
s.051 Duty to keep fans informed of insolvency proceedings (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Keep fans informed about insolvency proceedingsAny Person
s.052 Duty to publish a personnel statement (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Submit and publish an accurate personnel statement to the IFRAny Person
s.054 Section 53: consultation and publication (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must consult on levy rules and publish cost estimatesStatutory regulator
s.055 Duties to notify and consult the IFR (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Notify and consult the IFR on risks, breaches and rule changesAny Person
1 other section in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.053 Duty to pay a levy (opens in a new tab)
Part 6

Distribution of revenue

6 of 9 sections shown
s.059 Decisions by the IFR on applications under section 57 (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must decide whether to trigger resolution process within 28 daysStatutory regulator
s.060 The mediation stage (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Appoint a mediator within 14 days of IFR noticeAny Person
s.061 Proposal stage (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must issue proposal notice after failed mediationStatutory regulator
s.062 Distribution orders (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must consult on and make football revenue distribution ordersStatutory regulator
s.063 Duration and revocation of distribution orders (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must revoke distribution orders and give reasoned notice to organisersStatutory regulator
s.064 Review of distribution orders, payment of costs, etc (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must keep distribution orders under reviewStatutory regulator
3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.056 Part 6: overview and interpretation (opens in a new tab)
s.057 Applications for resolution process to be triggered (opens in a new tab)
s.058 Applications under section 57: procedural and other requirements (opens in a new tab)
Part 7

Investigatory powers etc

5 of 10 sections shown
s.066 Reports on clubs by expert reporters (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Co-operate with IFR expert reporters and provide informationAny Person
s.069 Outcomes of investigations (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must determine investigation outcomes and issue closure noticesStatutory regulator
s.071 Section 70: supplementary (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must notify commitment decisions and monitor complianceStatutory regulator
s.072 Duty to preserve information (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • You must not destroy or hide information relevant to an IFR investigationAny Person
s.074 Requirement to publish certain notices etc (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must publish investigation and closure noticesStatutory regulator
5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.065 Power to require information (opens in a new tab)
s.067 Meaning of “relevant infringement” (opens in a new tab)
s.068 Investigations (opens in a new tab)
s.070 Commitments in lieu of investigations (opens in a new tab)
s.073 Privileged communications (opens in a new tab)
Part 8

Enforcement

4 of 6 sections shown
s.076 Warning notices (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must give warning notice before taking sanctions actionStatutory regulator
s.077 Decision notices (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must give a decision notice after considering representationsStatutory regulator
s.078 Offences (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Destroy, falsify or obstruct information for football regulatorAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.080 Requirement to publish certain notices etc (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must publish warning notices, decision notices and urgent directionsStatutory regulator
2 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.075 Sanctions (opens in a new tab)
s.079 Urgent directions (opens in a new tab)
Part 9

Reviews and appeals

4 of 5 sections shown
s.081 Reviewable decisions etc (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must notify concerned persons of review and appeal rightsStatutory regulator
s.082 Request for internal review (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must decide whether to carry out internal review and notify concerned personsStatutory regulator
s.083 Internal reviews (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must notify and publish internal review decisions within 28 daysStatutory regulator
s.085 Proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Tribunal must determine football governance appeals on merits or judicial review principlesTribunal / Court
1 other section in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.084 Appeals to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (opens in a new tab)
Part 10

General

7 of 16 sections shown
s.088 Restrictions on the disclosure of information (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Regulator must keep protected information confidentialStatutory regulator
s.089 Information offences (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Unlawfully disclose confidential informationAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.095 Offences by officers of clubs and bodies corporate (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Officer liable for club or corporate football offenceDirector or Officer
s.096 Review of Act (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must carry out 5-year review and publish reportCrown / Minister / Government department
s.097 Payments into the Consolidated Fund (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must pay levy receipts and penalties into the Consolidated FundStatutory regulator
s.100 Commencement (opens in a new tab)

amended 1 time (opens in a new tab)

s.101 Short title (opens in a new tab)

amended 1 time (opens in a new tab)

9 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.086 Disclosure of information by the IFR (opens in a new tab)
s.087 Disclosure of information to the IFR etc (opens in a new tab)
s.090 Rules (opens in a new tab)
s.091 Regulations (opens in a new tab)
s.092 Minor definitions etc (opens in a new tab)
s.093 Index of defined terms (opens in a new tab)
s.094 Pre-commencement consultation (opens in a new tab)
s.098 Minor and consequential amendments (opens in a new tab)
s.099 Extent (opens in a new tab)
Schedules

Schedules

30 of 116 shown
s.sch001 Significant influence or control over the activities of a club, trust or other body Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must publish guidance on 'significant influence or control'Crown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 (1) The IFR must pay its non-executive members such remuneration... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must pay non-executive members' remuneration and expensesStatutory regulator
s.sch002 (1) The terms on which executive members are, by virtue... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must pay staff remuneration, pensions and allowancesStatutory regulator
s.sch002 Disqualification from acting in relation to certain matters Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR Board members must declare interests and not decide conflicted mattersStatutory regulator
s.sch002 Records of proceedings Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Board must keep proper records of proceedings and delegated actionsStatutory regulator
s.sch002 Appointments to the Expert Panel Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • CEO must appoint Expert Panel with required skills and no conflictsStatutory regulator
s.sch002 Declaration and registration of interests of members of the Expert Panel Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must maintain a register of Expert Panel members' relevant interestsStatutory regulator
s.sch002 Committees and procedure of the Expert Panel Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • CEO must establish Expert Panel committee for delegated functionsStatutory regulator
s.sch002 (1) The Chief Executive Officer must establish committees of the... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR CEO must establish Expert Panel committees as required and appoint chairsStatutory regulator
s.sch002 (1) In exercising its functions, the Expert Panel must act... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Expert Panel must act independently of the BoardStatutory regulator
s.sch002 Disqualification from acting in relation to certain matters Regulated
  • Declare conflicts of interest and withdraw from related Expert Panel committee discussionsAny Person
s.sch002 Records of Expert Panel committee proceedings Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • CEO must keep proper records of Expert Panel committee proceedingsStatutory regulator
s.sch002 Appointment of observer Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must appoint FA representative as independent observer of IFR proceedingsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 Accounts and audit Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must keep proper accounts and prepare annual statementsStatutory regulator
s.sch002 (1) The Chief Executive Officer is to be appointed by... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Chair must consult before appointing the Chief Executive OfficerStatutory regulator
s.sch002 (1) A person (“A”) may not be appointed as a... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Appointors must check Board members for conflicts of interestStatutory regulator
s.sch002 Declaration and registration of interests of members of the Board Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must register Board members' relevant interestsStatutory regulator
s.sch005 Introduction Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must attach four standard conditions to every operating licenceStatutory regulator
s.sch005 Financial plans Regulated
  • Submit and update financial plans to the IFRAny Person
s.sch005 For the purposes of paragraph 2(a), the IFR— Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must specify financial information required in club financial plansStatutory regulator
s.sch005 The condition must require— (a) the corporate governance statement to... Regulated
  • Publish corporate governance statement with required explanationsAny Person
s.sch005 (1) The IFR must publish the latest corporate governance statement... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must publish club governance statements and a governance reportStatutory regulator
s.sch005 (1) The IFR must prepare and publish a code of... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must publish and maintain a corporate governance code for regulated clubsStatutory regulator
s.sch005 (1) The condition may require the consultation to take place... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must consider fanbase and club resources when setting fan consultationStatutory regulator
s.sch006 Procedure for accepting a commitment or requested variation Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must notify club and consider representations before accepting commitmentsStatutory regulator
s.sch006 The IFR must, as soon as reasonably practicable after deciding... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must notify clubs and competition organisers of acceptance decisionsStatutory regulator
s.sch006 Procedure for releasing a specified competition organiser from a commitment Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must give notice and consider representations before releasing an organiserStatutory regulator
s.sch006 The IFR must, as soon as reasonably practicable after deciding... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IFR must give notice of decision on releasing competition organiserStatutory regulator
s.sch008 (1) A warrant under paragraph 3 must describe— Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Authorised officers must give notice and secure premises when executing warrantsStatutory regulator
s.sch009 Appointment of a skilled person Regulated
  • Appoint and cooperate with IFR-nominated skilled personAny Person
86 other schedules
s.sch001 Conditions for being an owner
s.sch001 Shares held by nominees
s.sch001 Rights treated as held by person who controls their exercise
s.sch001 (1) For the purposes of this Schedule “arrangement” includes—
s.sch001 Rights exercisable only in certain circumstances etc
s.sch001 Rights attached to shares held by way of security
s.sch001 (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this...
s.sch001 (1) Condition 1 is that the person has the right...
s.sch001 Interpretation
s.sch001 Joint interests
s.sch001 Joint arrangements
s.sch001 Calculating shareholdings
s.sch001 Voting rights
s.sch001 In applying this Schedule, voting rights in a person held...
s.sch001 Shares or rights held “indirectly”
s.sch002 Constitution of the IFR
s.sch002 Tenure etc and remuneration of members of the IFR’s staff (including executive members)
s.sch002 (1) A person may resign as an executive member by...
s.sch002 Exercise of functions by the Board
s.sch002 Committees and procedure of the Board
s.sch002 (1) The Board may determine its own procedure and the...
s.sch002 Delegation by the Board etc
s.sch002 (1) Subject to paragraph 20, a committee established by the...
s.sch002 Membership
s.sch002 (1) The following functions of the Board may be delegated...
s.sch002 The delegation of a function by the Board under paragraph...
s.sch002 Number of members
s.sch002 Tenure and remuneration of Expert Panel members
s.sch002 (1) The Expert Panel may determine its own procedure and...
s.sch002 Appointments to the Board
s.sch002 Seal and evidence
s.sch002 Status
s.sch002 Supplementary powers
s.sch002 Financial assistance
s.sch002 (1) The chair may appoint any other non-executive member to...
s.sch002 Tenure and remuneration of non-executive members
s.sch002 A non-executive member of the Board may be removed from...
s.sch003 Transfer schemes
s.sch003 Supplementary
s.sch003 Interpretation
s.sch004 Threshold requirements
s.sch004 Financial resources
s.sch004 Non-financial resources
s.sch004 Fan engagement
s.sch004 Interpretation
s.sch005 Annual declaration
s.sch005 The condition must require the declaration to contain—
s.sch005 Interpretation
s.sch005 Corporate governance statement
s.sch005 Fan consultation
s.sch006 Application of Schedule
s.sch006 Paragraph 2 does not apply in relation to a proposed...
s.sch007 Introduction
s.sch007 Relevant infringements committed by clubs
s.sch007 Relevant infringements committed by owners of clubs
s.sch007 Relevant infringements committed by officers of clubs
s.sch007 Relevant infringements committed by senior managers of clubs
s.sch007 Relevant infringements committed by specified competition organisers
s.sch007 Relevant infringements committed by other persons
s.sch008 Application of this Schedule
s.sch008 Power to ask questions
s.sch008 Power to enter business premises under a warrant
s.sch009 Introduction
s.sch009 Interpretation
s.sch009 Penalties imposed by reference to a daily rate
s.sch009 Revenue and remuneration
s.sch009 Interest
s.sch009 Recovery as a civil debt
s.sch009 Power to amend figures
s.sch009 Censure statements
s.sch009 Financial penalties
s.sch009 Censure statements
s.sch009 Financial penalties
s.sch009 Injunctive relief
s.sch009 Suspension or revocation of operating licence
s.sch009 (1) The IFR may— (a) suspend the club’s operating licence,...
s.sch012 Public Records Act 1958
s.sch012 Competition Appeal Tribunal Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1648)
s.sch012 Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967
s.sch012 House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975
s.sch012 Freedom of Information Act 2000
s.sch012 Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001
s.sch012 Enterprise Act 2002
s.sch012 (1) Paragraph 1A (enforcement of injunctions in England and Wales...
s.sch012 (1) Paragraph 10A (Tribunal rules: institution of proceedings) is amended...
s.sch012 Equality Act 2010

Connected legislation

Instruments made under this Act. They carry the detail the Act delegates.

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.