What football clubs need to know about the Independent Football Regulator's regulatory and licensing requirements

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) will expect clubs to demonstrate that they are well-governed, financially sustainable, and run in the interests of the long-term health of the game. In practice, this means clubs will need to show that they have:

• Clear and effective corporate governance arrangements
• Appropriate board oversight, accountability, and decision-making
• Robust financial controls and sustainability planning
• Effective risk management and internal controls
• Evidence of meaningful fan engagement, particularly where required by regulation
• The ability to meet ongoing reporting and monitoring requirements, not just a one-off assessment

The emphasis is likely to be on how governance works in practice, not just whether policies exist.

The IFR is expected to require documented, defensible evidence that demonstrates compliance with regulatory standards. This is likely to include a combination of:

• Written policies and governance documents
• Board and committee terms of reference
• Records of decisions, approvals and oversight
• Financial information and forward-looking assessments
• Statements explaining how governance arrangements operate in practice

Clubs should expect to demonstrate consistency between documentation and real-world behaviour, supported by a clear audit trail.

If a club fails to obtain an operating licence, the consequences could be serious. Early preparation is critical, as delays or conditional licensing could disrupt planning, financing and operations. Potential outcomes include:

• Regulatory sanctions or restrictions
• Increased regulatory scrutiny or intervention
• Significant reputational damage with fans, investors, and commercial partners
• And in the extreme, if a licence is not granted, inability to compete in the English league system

There is no fixed timeline that applies to every club. The length of the compliance process will depend on the strength of the club’s existing governance arrangements and documentation, the complexity of its ownership and financial structure, the availability of internal resources, and how early any gaps or issues are identified and addressed.

For many clubs, carrying out an early assessment and taking a structured approach to preparation can significantly reduce time pressure and help avoid last-minute issues as licensing deadlines approach.

To secure a licence, clubs are likely to need a coherent evidence pack that demonstrates compliance across governance, financial and engagement requirements. This will typically include a clear governance framework and decision-making structure, evidence of effective board oversight and accountability, financial sustainability assessments with supporting information, risk registers and control frameworks, and records of fan consultation where required.

Clubs will also need to prepare a corporate governance statement. The key is not the volume of material provided, but its clarity, relevance and traceability; evidence that clearly shows how regulatory expectations are met and how decisions are made in practice.