A newly established football authority will soon possess the authority to impose substantial financial penalties on club owners and, in extreme circumstances, compel them to sell their stakes. This regulatory body, set to begin operations as early as November, is a central component of the government’s strategy to reform football governance.
The regulator’s mandate includes a rigorous assessment of the character and financial stability of all individuals in positions of control at football clubs. This evaluation is designed to scrutinize the integrity and economic soundness of both current and prospective owners and executives.
Among the most significant powers is the ability to issue fines amounting to as much as 10% of a club’s annual revenue for serious violations of the governing legislation. Furthermore, in the most severe cases of misconduct, the regulator will have the authority to demand that an owner divest their ownership of the club entirely.
Officials stress that these measures are intended to protect clubs from financial instability and unsuitable ownership, not to deter legitimate investment. They have assured that well-run clubs with responsible owners will see little to no disruption from the new system.
To support its investigations, the regulator will be equipped with enhanced due diligence capabilities, including the potential to verify the sources of an owner’s wealth with financial institutions and to collaborate with law enforcement agencies. A public consultation on the proposed rules is currently underway, with a conclusion expected in the autumn.
