3 | What the IFR cannot do
The IFR’s Remit
The IFR’s role is deliberately focused, aimed at club financial sustainability, systemic financial resilience, and heritage protection. In practice, the IFR will not intervene in sporting or on-pitch matters, matchday operations, or most commercial decisions. Refereeing, VAR, kick-off times, ticket pricing, and the rules of the game will remain the responsibility of existing football authorities and competition organisers, rather than the regulator.
Outside the IFR’s Remit
A. Sporting and On-Pitch Matters:
- VAR and refereeing decisions: The IFR has no role in officiating, the use of technology, or the appointment of match officials. These matters remain with the relevant football authorities.
- The Laws of the Game: The IFR cannot alter how football is played. Responsibility for the rules of the game remains with IFAB.
- Point deductions: The IFR has no power to impose sporting sanctions such as points deductions or transfer bans, which remain the responsibility of existing football authorities. This may appear surprising given that sporting sanctions are often the principal deterrent against non-compliance with certain rules – but how the IFR interacts and co-ordinates with the Premier League, EFL and National League remains to be seen (generally, and on co-ordinated enforcement matters where the IFR has enhanced investigatory powers, and the football authorities have greater sporting sanction powers).
B. Matchday operations and the fan experience
Some matchday and operational issues that directly affect supporters sit outside the IFR’s remit.
- Kick-off Times: Scheduling remains a matter for leagues, broadcasters, and competition organisers. The IFR cannot intervene in individual match timings or the fixtures calendar.
- Ticket prices: The IFR cannot set or cap ticket prices. However, pricing is a “relevant matter” for consultation, meaning clubs must demonstrate meaningful engagement with supporters on pricing strategies, even though the final decision remains with the club.
C. Scope of regulation – who is and isn’t covered
The IFR’s remit is confined to the men’s professional game, covering the 116 clubs across the top five tiers.
- Women’s Football: Women’s football does not currently fall within the IFR’s statutory powers, though: (i) regulation could be extended in future following a separate government review and further legislation; and (ii) there will be an inherent impact on women’s clubs who also have a men’s team within scope of the IFR (given the need to avoid inconsistent or overly duplicative rules relating to ODSEs, and changes of control).
- Men’s lower tiers and grassroots football: IFR powers apply only to the Premier League, EFL, and Men’s National League in respect of the top five tiers of men’s football, and do not extend to lower divisions (such as the National League North/South) or to grassroots and amateur clubs.
D. League Financial and Squad Controls
The IFR will not run or replace existing league rules on financial sustainability, player wages, or squad-spending limits, including:
- Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
- Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) or Squad Salary Rules (SSR).
Mission Creep?
While the IFR’s remit is clearly defined in legislation, regulators rarely stand still. Pressure from supporters, government, or market developments could lead to could lead to future expansion of the IFR’s powers, including:
- Expansion into new competitions;
- Greater oversight of financial rules;
- Parachute payments; and/or
- Potential future involvement in the women’s game.
Further clarity is expected from the IFR’s first State of the Game report, due to be published in draft later this year, with a final report in 2027. The report will assess the key issues affecting English football, and whether any features of the market threaten the IFR’s ability to advance its objectives.
For now, clubs should work on the basis that the IFR is not a “super-governing body” for all football issues – but a targeted regulator focused on financial health and long-term stability.
Key takeaway: The IFR will shape how clubs are run, not how football is played.