Morning, Tuesday, 18th November 2025
Online
This conference will examine implementation of the Football Governance Bill and formalisation of the statutory Independent Football Regulator, with the Bill expected to receive Royal Assent by the end of summer 2025.
The agenda will focus on the scope and priorities for the regulator, including ensuring the financial stability of clubs and the wider football industry, as well as safeguarding the heritage of the sport. Sessions will examine the regulator’s power to oversee revenue distribution including parachute payments and operate a licensing system, as well as evaluating the suitability of current and perspective ownership groups through a strengthened Owners’ and Directors’ test.
Delegates will discuss evolving ownership models and governance standards, alongside potential implications for future investment in English football. We expect discussion on the scope and direction of policy relating to the proposed Football Club Corporate Governance Code, including the way forward for mandating compliance and assessing new requirements for clubs to publish equality, diversity and inclusion reports.
Further sessions will discuss priorities for the forthcoming State of the Game report expected within the next 18 months, including the scope and priorities, as well as strategies for effective engagement with clubs, players, fans, and other key stakeholders. Strategies for advancing meaningful fan engagement throughout the regulator’s work will also be a focus.
With the agenda currently in the drafting stage, overall areas for discussion include:
- financial sustainability:
- design, operation and implementation of a licensing system - assessing measures for ensuring financial soundness - priorities for the regulator’s first year - implications for competition with European rivals
- Owners’ and Directors’ test:
- examining strengthened tests to protect against club mismanagement - the way forward for demonstration of financial best practice - implications for future investment in English football
- State of the Game report:
- strategies for engaging with key stakeholders across the consultation process - scope and priority areas for the report - roadmap for the completion of the report
- corporate governance:
- priorities for the design, uptake and compliance with a Football Club Corporate Governance Code - next steps for industry and stakeholder consultations - options for the incorporation of additional standards including equality and diversity, environmental, and athletes’ rights
- revenue distribution:
- priorities for establishing a deal between the EFL and Premier League - examining backstop powers for regulatory intervention in revenue flow - the future for parachute payments
- fan engagement:
- strategies for incorporating fans into decision making processes - approaches for protecting club names and consulting fans on changes to the badge and home shirt colours - assessing regulatory powers for intervention in stadium sales or relocation
