These Regulations may be cited as the Football Governance Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025.
The Football Governance Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025
Published: Fri 12th Dec 25
These Regulations officially bring into force the second set of provisions from the Football Governance Act 2025, appointing 12th December 2025 as the commencement date for many sections.
The commencement targets key areas including the suitability requirements for incumbent club owners and officers (Part 4), the investigatory powers granted to the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) (Part 7), the enforcement sanctions framework (Part 8), and the review and appeals processes (Part 9).
Certain aspects of these parts, particularly those relating to operating licences, are explicitly excluded from this commencement order.
Arguments For
Ensures the phased introduction of key regulatory powers under the Football Governance Act 2025, allowing stakeholders time to prepare for new suitability checks on owners and officers.
Activates significant sections concerning the investigatory powers of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), enhancing its ability to monitor compliance before the full commencement of licensing provisions.
Implements core enforcement mechanisms, including sanctions and review procedures, as part of a coordinated effort to stabilize the governance framework of regulated football clubs.
Arguments Against
Phased commencement creates a period where some regulatory functions are active while others remain dormant, potentially leading to confusion or gaps in oversight until subsequent commencement orders take effect.
Provisions regarding incumbent owners and officers are brought in early, potentially subjecting existing club leadership to suitability scrutiny before all associated procedural powers of the IFR are fully live.
The delayed commencement of crucial sections related to operating licences and the levy means that the full financial and operational restructuring intended by the Act is postponed.
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 100(1) of the Football Governance Act 2025.
The Secretary of State formally enacts these Regulations using the authority granted by Section 100(1) of the Football Governance Act 2025.
Citation and interpretation1.
(1)
(2)
In these Regulations “the Act” means the Football Governance Act 2025.
Regulation 1 establishes how these specific commencement rules are formally referenced, naming them the 'Football Governance Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025'.
Additionally, it defines the defined term 'the Act' within these Regulations to mean the Football Governance Act 2025.
Provisions coming into force on 12th December 20252.
(1)
The day appointed for the coming into force of the following provisions of the Act, so far as not already in force (see section 100(2)) of the Act), is 12th December 2025—
(a)
in Part 4 (owners and officers of regulated clubs: suitability etc)—
(i)
section 26 (Part 4: overview and interpretation);
(ii)
section 33 (duties to notify IFR of change in circumstances relating to incumbent owner or officer);
(iii)
section 34 (incumbent owners) except in so far as it relates to a determination under section 28;
(iv)
section 35 (incumbent officers) except in so far as it relates to a determination under section 29;
(v)
section 36 (opportunity to make representations about proposed negative findings);
(vi)
section 37 (matters relevant to determinations);
(vii)
section 38 (disqualification orders);
(viii)
section 39 (removal directions: owners) except in so far as it relates to a determination under section 28;
(ix)
section 40 (removal directions: officers) except in so far as it relates to a determination under section 29;
(x)
section 41 (directions relating to unsuitable owners and officers);
(xi)
section 42 (orders and directions effecting alternative officer arrangements);
(xii)
section 43 (ownership removal orders) except in so far as it relates to a determination under section 28;
(xiii)
section 44 (orders under section 43: procedure, costs and liabilities);
(b)
in Part 7 (investigatory powers etc)—
(i)
section 67 (meaning of “relevant infringement”) so far as relating to the provisions being brought into force by paragraph (ii);
(ii)
the provisions of Schedule 7 (meaning of “relevant infringement”) specified in paragraph (2);
(iii)
section 68 (investigations);
(iv)
Schedule 8 (investigatory powers);
(v)
section 69 (outcomes of investigations);
(vi)
section 70 (commitments in lieu of investigations) so far as relating to the provisions being brought into force by paragraph (ii);
(vii)
section 71 (section 70: supplementary);
(viii)
section 72 (duty to preserve information);
(ix)
section 74 (requirement to publish certain notices etc);
(c)
in Part 8 (enforcement)—
(i)
section 75 (sanctions) so far as relating to the provisions being brought into force by paragraph (ii);
(ii)
paragraphs 1 to 7 and 10 to 15 of Schedule 9 (sanctions);
(iii)
sections 76 to 78 (warning notices, decision notices and offences);
(iv)
section 79 (urgent directions);
(v)
section 80 (requirement to publish certain notices etc);
(d)
Part 9 (reviews and appeals) (and Schedule 10 (reviews));
(e)
in Part 10 (general)—
(i)
section 86 (disclosure of information by the IFR);
(ii)
section 87 (disclosure of information to the IFR etc);
(iii)
section 89 (information offences);
(iv)
section 95 (offences by officers of clubs and bodies corporate);
(v)
section 98 (minor and consequential amendments) for all remaining purposes;
(vi)
Schedule 12 (minor and consequential amendments) for all remaining purposes.
(2)
The provisions of Schedule 7 specified for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(ii) are—
(a)
paragraph 1 so far as relating to the provisions being brought into force by sub-paragraphs (b) to (f);
(b)
in paragraph 2—
(i)
in sub-paragraph (2)—
(aa)
paragraph (b) so far as relating to a requirement imposed by section 33;
(bb)
paragraphs (c), (d), (f), (g) and (h);
(ii)
sub-paragraph (3);
(iii)
sub-paragraph (4)(b), (c) and (d);
(c)
paragraphs 3 and 4 except in so far as they relate to a requirement imposed by section 27;
(d)
paragraph 5;
(e)
paragraph 6(d), (e) and (f);
(f)
paragraph 7(d) and (e).
Regulation 2 appoints 12th December 2025 as the date when various sections of the Act, not previously commenced, come into force.
This covers substantial parts of the regulatory framework, specifically addressing incumbent owners and officers (Part 4), investigatory powers and the definition of infringement (Part 7, including specific parts of Schedule 7), enforcement measures like sanctions and warning notices (Part 8), the entire review/appeals structure (Part 9), and general administrative sections concerning information disclosure and offences (Part 10).
Sub-section (2) specifies exactly which provisions within Schedule 7 (defining 'relevant infringement') become active on this date.
This implementation is carefully layered, focusing on aspects applicable to existing regulated clubs and their current owners/officers, while deferring commencement related to operating licences, the financial levy, and certain sections of Schedule 7 that are tied to ongoing licensing applications.
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