Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Football Governance Act 2025: Independent Football Regulator’s State of the Game (Draft) Report

14 October 2026 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Lisa Nandy Lab Wigan

Culture, Media & Sport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Lisa Nandy raised concerns about football governance act 2025: independent football regulator’s state of the game (draft) report in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • The Independent Football Regulator published a report indicating that 17 clubs in the EFL and National League are loss-making even if players are not paid.
  • More than a quarter of clubs could not survive a month without owner support.
  • Nearly two-thirds of clubs in the English Football League and National League are technically insolvent.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Lisa Nandy Lab Wigan

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has published a report highlighting the financial instability in English football, with 17 clubs in the EFL and National League being loss-making even if their players played for free. More than a quarter of clubs could not survive a month without owner support, and nearly two-thirds of clubs in the English Football League and National League are technically insolvent. The report underlines the need for the Football Governance Act 2025 and the establishment of the IFR to protect the financial future of football clubs. The Government's actions are aimed at ensuring fair distribution of revenue between the leagues and improving the sustainability of the game.

Other contributors (1)
  • Lisa Nandy Lab Wigan

    The Independent Football Regulator's report highlights severe financial instability in English football, with clubs facing insolvency risks and unsustainable income streams. The Government's intervention with the Football Governance Act 2025 and the IFR is crucial to protect the clubs and ensure fair revenue distribution. The report should serve as a wake-up call to football authorities to reach agreements on revenue distribution to secure the future of the game and its communities.

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