Football Governance Act Consultation: Owners and Directors Test

Tuesday 16th September 2025 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)]

The Government have today launched our targeted consultation on the statutory deadline for the Football Governance Act’s owners’ and directors’ tests. We have invited responses from the relevant competition organisers, clubs, the Football Association, the Football Supporters Association, and other appropriate individuals and organisations.

Football lies at the heart of our nation, and it touches the lives of so many of us across the country. Football clubs are treasured not just by their fans, but also by their local communities. That is why it is absolutely vital that only suitable owners and officers are allowed to be the custodians of these community institutions.

As the Government set out in the Act, the independent football regulator will have the power to test owners and officers to ensure they are fit and proper persons to be running a football club. As part of these tests, the Secretary of State, Lisa Nandy, will produce regulations specifying how long the IFR can take to make a determination on the suitability of new owners and officers. The responses to this consultation from key stakeholders will help us to set an appropriate deadline that works for the IFR and the industry. In particular, ensuring that the IFR has sufficient time to perform robust tests, without burdening the industry with a lengthy and bureaucratic approval process that might put clubs at risk or deter investment.

I want to thank all the fan groups, clubs, leagues, football bodies and industry experts who have engaged with the Government so far and encourage those that have been contacted to share their views.

[HCWS927]