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Independent Football Regulator
Our lawyers specialise in supporting English football clubs to understand and comply with their regulatory requirements, including from the Independent Football Regulator (IFR).
As one of the country’s top legal teams in football, our specialist lawyers are here to support clubs in understanding the changes to be ushered in by the new Independent Football Regulator — which will bring significant responsibilities for every club in the top five tiers of English football — as well as how to stay compliant with its regulatory framework.
Introduced under the Football Governance Act, the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) is heralded as “the biggest reform to English club football governance since the Premier League began in 1992”. Its objectives include protecting and promoting the financial soundness of regulated football clubs and the financial resilience of English football (as well as safeguarding its heritage).
This means that clubs must take action now or risk triggering a broad spectrum of consequences — from corrective measures through to severe financial and even criminal sanctions.
That’s where we come in. Renowned for our work with Premier League and EFL clubs, we’ve gained national recognition in The Times Best Law Firms 2026 for our sports practice as well as regionally at the Northwest Football Awards, where we won Best Business or Professional Services Organisation Serving Football in 2025. We also took home the Bronze Award for Best Professional Services Company Serving Football at the Football Business Awards 2026.
We’re ranked as a top-tier firm for sports law in The Legal 500, which places us "among the market leaders" for our "broad sports practice spanning governance, commercial, regulatory and employment matters".
Our team contains experts in the legal regulations that surround football — from transfer agreements and player contracts to FIFA, The FA and EFL regulations.
We’re closely monitoring the IFR’s ongoing consultations, recognising that many aspects of how the regime will operate in practice are still evolving. In this uncertain landscape, taking early, informed steps to prepare will be critical to staying ahead of developments, reducing risk and embedding compliance from the outset.
If you’re looking for more information or tailored advice, speak to us today. Give us a call on 0333 004 4488, email us at hello@brabners.com or complete our contact form.
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“Amongst the market leaders for [sports] work. Excellent knowledge and contacts in the industry.”
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“Andrew McGregor is incredibly personable... an astute lawyer and litigator and excellent negotiator. Very well-connected in football.”
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Complying with the IFR’s regulatory framework
To comply with the new framework, clubs must take several key steps:
1. Apply for & maintain an IFR licence
All 116 clubs in the Premier League, Championship, wider EFL and the top division of the National League must obtain and maintain an IFR Licence to compete in sanctioned competitions.
Clubs will apply for a provisional licence before the 2026/2027 football season, which will be granted ahead of the 2027/2028 season. This will allow clubs to keep operating for up to three years while they work towards meeting the requirements for a full licence.
2. Meet financial sustainability standards
Clubs must demonstrate that they can operate responsibly, with realistic budgets and effective financial risk management and without unsustainable debt.
For Premier League clubs, this includes complying with the new Squad Cost Ratio model.
3. Comply with the Football Club Governance Code
The IFR will adopt five key principles in a ‘Football Club Corporate Governance Code’, relating to board, purpose and strategy, risk oversight and controls, board composition and accountability, EDI and stakeholder relationships and engagement.
Every two years, each club must publish a governance statement explaining how it applies the principles set out in the Code and meets the required standards for transparency, accountability and board oversight.
The IFR will also have its own suitability tests for Owners, Directors and Senior Managers for FA and EFL Clubs playing in leagues below the Premier League, which will assess honesty and integrity, financial soundness and competence. This test is broader than the existing tests which apply for the Premier League and EFL. They will particularly now apply to personnel operating in six distinct Senior Management Functions – the tests seeking to capture all key decision makers who exercise significant influence over clubs, and not just board officials. New owners and senior managers will be required to meet these tests from May 2026 onwards.
4. Engage meaningfully with fans
Clubs must meet the ‘fan engagement threshold’, ensuring regular consultation on key matters such as ticketing policies, match-day operations and strategic direction.
5. Protect club heritage
Changes to a club’s identity — including its name, badge, primary colours or stadium — will now require formal fan consultation. Some changes may also need IFR approval or proof that they’re backed by the majority of fans.
IFR sanctions explained
The IFR has two categories of sanctions:
1. Information-related breaches
The IFR may publish a censure statement and/or impose a financial penalty, with criminal offences reserved for serious cases such as destruction of information.
2. Regulatory infringements
In addition to censure and fines, the IFR may require remedial action (including appointing a ‘skilled person’), seek an injunction from the Competition Appeal Tribunal or ultimately suspend or revoke a club’s operating licence.
Consultation timescales
The IFR has been consulting on how the new system should operate.
The next key dates in its timeline are:
- Summer 2026: final rules and guidance on the licensing regime are set to be published.
- Autumn 2026: the provisional licence pilot scheme is set to begin.
- November 2026: the licensing application window will open.
- May 2027: all clubs to be licensed in time for the 2027/2028 season.
As the consultations progress, there’ll be a lot to unpack. We can help you to stay informed and compliant as things develop.
Specialist football regulation legal advisors
Our experienced team includes Matt Lavelle, who supports many football clubs, players and agents in understanding and navigating their regulatory obligations and rights. Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer by leading legal directory The Legal 500, Matt has built an outstanding reputation as a trusted advisor in football. He works closely alongside our Head of Sport, Lydia Edgar, with the pair often placed in the centre of sensitive, high-profile and operationally critical matters including senior leadership appointments and exits, player transfer agreements and employment tribunals.
Our Head of Corporate Ruth Hargreaves brings a wealth of knowledge in supporting National Governing Bodies on everything from day-to-day legal challenges to major strategic opportunities.
Corporate lawyer Anthony Grogan specialises in corporate transactions such as acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, private equity investment and reorganisations. He regularly advises clubs on their corporate governance frameworks and regulatory compliance. He has worked with several clubs and governing bodies on their new constitutional frameworks, which includes the drafting of new articles of association and supplementary rules and regulations.
Lauren Hicks is experienced in advising clubs on a wide range of commercial arrangements. She works closely with a broad array of football clients and previously spent six months on secondment with the legal team at a Premier League football club, which provided her with valuable first-hand insights into the commercial and operational demands of the sport.
Meet your team
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