- IFR publishes plans for new Owners, Directors and Senior
Executives regime
- Test will raise standards and give powers to take action when
owners or directors fail to meet new requirements
- ODSE proposals published alongside information gathering,
enforcement and sanctions guidance
The new regime will assess the honesty, integrity and financial
soundness of those who want to own or run a football club,
ensuring they have the necessary skills and experience to do so.
It will promote responsible ownership and protect the
financial health of the 116 regulated football clubs, and is
the first element of the new IFR regime to be consulted on.
The rules that will determine whether prospective owners,
directors and senior executives are fit and proper have been
significantly tightened, while the criteria used to protect
against illicit finance and criminal funding entering
football have also been widened.
Incumbent owners, directors and senior executives will not need
to apply for approval. Good owners, running clubs effectively,
will experience minimal impact. However, if the IFR has concerns
about the suitability of an incumbent, it will be able to take
action.
Under the new rules, the IFR will be able to go further and
undertake greater due diligence and checks compared to those
currently run by competition organisers. For example, the
IFR will be able to consider domestic and international
cases in applying its test and be able to check with banks where
funds may be held, as well as with law enforcement agencies and
other regulatory bodies.
At the same time, the IFR is also consulting on how it will use
its powers to determine a prospective owner or director's ability
to finance their purchase of a club as well as their intent and
strategy.
The ODSE proposals are part of a series of key consultations
being launched today, which also include proposals on the IFR's
Information Gathering, Enforcement and Sanctions powers. These
powers will be essential to allowing the IFR to enforce its rules
efficiently and uphold standards across the game.
The law gives the IFR the power to hold clubs and individuals to
account as and when needed — from financial penalties, and public
censure, to requiring an owner to divest from a
club. These powers will be used proportionately, in
accordance with the IFR's statutory duties, and with an
understanding of the importance of owner investment and
risk-taking in English football.
The IFR will work collaboratively with clubs to prevent issues
occurring. Powers will be used if necessary, to incentivise clubs
and individuals to comply and to make sure the IFR can act
swiftly and fairly when rules are not followed.
Members of the public, fan groups, clubs, competition organisers
and related businesses are all invited to participate in the
consultation and share their views, which will run until Monday 6
October.
The IFR will publish its response to these consultations later
this year, with the regime expected to go live as soon as
possible.
Notes to Editors
