Member

The process was meant to apply to new and not incumbent owners, yet an assessment of an incumbent, says the Crown Prince, could be triggered if the IFR is in possession of information that gives “grounds for concern”. What are the grounds for concern? They are not identified or defined anywhere in the guidance. Anyone can make submissions to the IFR. There is nothing to stop this highly confidential and potentially defamatory information being made public. Yet the overwhelming commitment we see in the United Kingdom from current owners and directors—particularly relevant to this Act in England—to run their clubs as custodians on behalf of their players, fans and communities is successful. The existing governance structures and the ongoing ability to attract interest and investment across the pyramid, particularly within the Premier League, which benefits all EFL clubs, have resulted in very few isolated cases of concern.