6 | Publicly available documents from the Independent Football Regulator

Legislation and Government Guidance

Football Governance Act 2025 Read more

Guidance: Independent Football Regulator (gov.uk) Read more

Fan-Led Review of Football Governance: securing the game’s future, 24 November 2021 Read more

Meaning of “Significant Influence or Control” in the Context of the Football Governance Act 2025 Read more

IFR Guidance and Rules

Owners, Directors & Senior Executives Regime Guidance and Rules Read more

Information Gathering and Enforcement Guidance Read more

Sanctions Guidance Read more

Consultation documents

State of the Game report Terms of Reference Consultation Opened: 20 January 2026 Consultation Closed: 17 February 2026 The IFR invited suggestions on its 'Terms of Reference', which contain topics to be considered and included in the State of the Game report, which the IFR is required to publish in accordance with the FGA 2025. Read more

Licensing Regime Consultation Opened: 13 October 2025 Consultation Closed: 8 December 2025 The IFR consulted on its proposed framework for the licensing regime, including the proposed approach to licensing processes, financial regulation, corporate governance and fan engagement. Responses to the consultation are considered in the Second Licensing Regime Consultation. Read more

Second Licensing Regime Consultation Consultation Opened: 17 March 2026 Consultation Closed: 5 May 2026 The IFR developed a detailed proposed licensing framework, following the responses to the IFR’s first Licensing Regime consultation. The IFR consulted on that proposed framework, which included rules and guidance for both the provisional and full licensing procedure. Read more

Temporary Appointments and ODSE amendments Consultation Opened: 17 March 2026 Consultation Closed: 10 April 2026 The IFR consulted on a small number of changes to the ODSE regime. These proposals included changes to the temporary appointments provision for Senior Management Functions where there is an unforeseen absence and certain technical and clarificatory amendments to other parts of the ODSE regime. Read more

Internal Review Function Consultation Opened: 13 October 2025 Consultation Closed: 10 November 2025 The IFR consulted on how the internal review function will operate. This proposed procedural framework includes the process of requesting an internal review, the timetable and procedural steps, and the applicable reviewer's decision. Read more

Owners, Directors and Senior Executives (ODSE) Regime Consultation Opened: 4 September 2025 Consultation Closed: 6 October 2025 Consultation response published: 5 December 2025 IFR consultation on the IFR draft ODSE Rules for clubs, owners, senior managers and others engaging with the ODSE Regime, draft ODSE guidance explaining how the regime will operate and draft application forms for owners and senior managers. Read more

Information Gathering and Enforcement Consultation Opened: 4 September 2025 Consultation Closed: 6 October 2025 Consultation response published: 5 December 2025 IFR consultation requesting comments on how the IFR plans to use its information gathering and enforcement powers, as set out in Information Gathering and Enforcement Consultation Paper. Read more

Sanctions Consultation Opened: 4 September 2025 Consultation Closed: 6 October 2025 Consultation response published: 5 December 2025 The IFR consulted on draft guidance on how it plans to determine the type and appropriate level of sanctions and where sanctions are deemed to be necessary. Read more

Surveys

Club Survey – Club Finances and Corporate Governance Survey Opened: 26 November 2025 Survey Closed: 19 December 2025 Survey inviting clubs from the top five tiers of English men's football to give information about finances and corporate governance based on information from the current season (2025/26). Results of this survey will be aggregated and anonymised before sharing. Read more

Club Survey – Fan Engagement Survey Opened: 26 November 2025 Survey Closed: 19 December 2025 Survey inviting clubs from the top five tiers of English men's football to give information about how they approach fan engagement based on information from the 2024/25 season. Results of this survey will be used to inform the State of the Game report and will be aggregated and anonymised before sharing. Read more