Navigating reputational risks under the Independent Football Regulator (Part 2): Stakeholders, enforcement & licensing

This three-part article provides English and Welsh football cubs with insights into the key reputational flashpoints arising under the new Independent Financial Regulatory (IFR) framework, ushered in under the Football Governance Act 2025 (the Act) on 21 July 2025.  It then offers practical guidance on navigating these challenges whilst protecting a club's brand, commercial relationships, and community standing:

• Part 1: What the IFR is and foundational compliance issues (available here);
• Part 2: Stakeholder issues, enforcement actions, licencing and what happens when things go wrong (below);
• Part 3: How to build internal resilience and get ahead of regulatory problems (available here).