The Sports Law Podcast 17 - The Impact of the Football Governance Act on Dispute Resolution in Football
Dec 4, 2025
Guest
Celia Rooney
Guest
Shane Sibbel
Guest
Marlena Valles
Guest
James Segan KC
Guest
Tom Richards KC
Guest
Adam Lewis
Adam Lewis KC, Tom Richards KC, James Segan KC, Marlena Valles, Shane Sibbel, and Celia Rooney delve into the complexities of the Football Governance Act. They discuss how this new regulation will reshape dispute resolution in football, including the role of the Independent Football Regulator. Topics include the suitability tests for club owners, investigatory powers under the Act, and the shift from confidential arbitration to more open scrutiny. The panel highlights the potential impact on fan engagement and the delicate balance between regulatory enforcement and maintaining competitive integrity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Far-Reaching Investigatory Powers
- The IFR gains intrusive investigatory powers including information notices, expert reporters, interview notices and High Court warrants to enter business premises.
- Criminal offences for destroying or falsifying information heighten compliance pressure on clubs and officers.
Strong Financial Sanctions, No Sporting Penalties
- Enforcement includes warning and decision notices, censures, fines up to 10% of global revenue, injunctions and licence suspension or revocation.
- The IFR cannot impose sporting penalties like points deductions or transfer bans, preserving a role for leagues in sporting sanctions.
Internal Review Plus CAT Merits Appeals
- Appeal routes combine internal review by the IFR with rights of appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT).
- For certain major decisions the CAT provides a full merits review and third parties with 'sufficient interest' can bring appeals without permission.
