Committee publication · Correspondence · 20 January 2026
Letter from Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, regarding Football Governance Act regulations , 12 January 2026
From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Inquiry: The work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Summary
Minister Stephanie Peacock confirms the Government has laid secondary legislation under the Football Governance Act 2025 specifying the Suitability Determination Period for New Owners and Officers. The regulations establish a statutory deadline for the Independent Football Regulator to assess prospective club owners and senior executives against standards of honesty, integrity and financial soundness, with automatic unsuitability determination if decisions exceed the prescribed period.
Key findings
- Regulations under Section 32 of the Football Governance Act 2025 laid before Parliament, subject to negative resolution procedure
- Independent Football Regulator will operate new Owners, Directors and Senior Executives suitability regime with statutory determination deadline
- If IFR cannot determine suitability within the statutory period, the individual is automatically found unsuitable under Section 32(5)
- Government conducted targeted consultation with stakeholders prior to laying regulations; full consultation response published in Explanatory Memorandum
- IFR commenced testing powers for incumbent owners and officers on 12 December 2025; statutory guidance on 'significant influence or control' published 8 December 2025
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Stephanie Peacock MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Independent Football Regulator, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, UK Government
Notable line
“If the IFR cannot make a determination within the statutory determination period, that individual will automatically be found unsuitable at the end of the period under section 32(5) of …”
Key Quotes
“The determination period avoids inhibiting investment in a fast-paced industry, and gives clubs and their fans certainty that takeovers will not be unnecessarily prolonged.”
“The IFR will operate a new Owners, Directors and Senior Executives suitability regime to ensure those running clubs meet appropriate standards of honesty, integrity and financial soundness.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗