How the Football Governance Act 2025 will affect debt financing in English football
The Football Governance Act 2025 introduces a new regulatory framework that will inevitably impact the process for football clubs obtaining debt finance, from credit approval to the negotiation of debt instruments. This article examines the impact of the legislation on football club financing and provides some key takeaways for clubs and lenders.
Introduction
The Football Governance Act 2025 (Act), which marks a pivotal moment in the regulation of men's football in England, received Royal Assent in July[1] this year. With the Act's primary aim being to address governance failures and financial instability within the English football pyramid[2], the article looks at the Act's impact on those seeking to borrow and lend in the football market.
The cornerstone of the Act is the creation of the Independent Football Regulator (the IFR). The IFR is tasked with the following objectives:
- to protect and promote the financial soundness of regulated clubs;
- to protect and promote the finance resilience of English football; and
- to safeguard the heritage of English football.[3]
To continue reading or watching login or register here
Already a member? Sign in
Get access to all of the expert analysis and commentary at LawInSport including articles, webinars, conference videos and podcast transcripts. Find out more here.
- Tags: Corporate Law | Finance | Football | Football Finance | Football Governance Act 2025 | Governance | Regulation | United Kingdom (UK)
Related Articles
- An explanation of how football clubs use forward funding
- A Guide To Financing Football Clubs: Part 1 – Debt Finance
- A Guide To Financing Football Clubs: Part 2 – Equity Finance & Ownership Models
- Why Do Football Clubs Raise Finance And Who Are The Main Investors?
- Football finance: How are clubs in saudi arabia regulated?
- How and why are football clubs using Green Bonds, and how do they actually work?
- Breaking the bank or building the game? The tightrope walk of Premier League football finance
- Will the new English football regulator be “truly independent”?
- The UK’s Football Governance Bill - Progress Update June 2025
Written by
Philip Scott
Phil is a Partner at Walker Morris, and head of the Banking Team, with over 20 years of experience. Phil has acted on countless football financing transactions, working alongside various Premier League and EFL clubs, giving him an in-depth knowledge of the market and an expertise in the law surrounding football finance.
