House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Statutory Guidance about the Meaning of “Significant Influence or Control” for the purposes of the Football Governance Act 2025
27 October 2025 · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Proposed by Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The Government has laid draft statutory guidance for defining "Significant Influence or Control" under the Football Governance Act 2025.
- The draft guidance must be approved by Parliament within 40 days.
- The guidance aligns with the Companies Act and includes industry-specific examples.
Issue summary
The statement discusses the laying of draft statutory guidance for defining 'Significant Influence or Control' under the Football Governance Act 2025.
Action requested
The Government has laid before Parliament a draft of the Statutory Guidance on the meaning of “Significant Influence or Control” to be approved within 40 days, aligning with the Companies Act and including industry-specific examples. This supports the new suitability and approval regime for football club owners, directors, and senior executives as mandated by the Football Governance Act.
Key facts
- The draft guidance is laid before Parliament following Royal Assent in July of the Football Governance Act 2025.
- It will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny for 40 days during which either House can resolve not to approve it.
- If no resolution is made, the Secretary of State may publish the guidance.
- The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) operates a new suitability and approval regime for football club owners, directors, and senior executives.
- Industry-specific examples have been tested with the football industry to make the concept more tangible.