Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of whether the Independent Football Regulator has sufficient powers to protect a club's trophies, stadium and other core assets where its owners have been found to have breached financial rules.

Protecting, awarding, or removing club's titles is a matter for competition organisers in which the Independent Football Regulator and government have no involvement.

Under the Football Governance Act 2025, the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has robust powers through its licensing regime and enhanced financial regulation to require clubs to protect core assets such as stadiums, oversee financial plans, and step in when financial concerns arise. In addition, the IFR has strong enforcement powers, including the ability to take action against or remove unsuitable owners and senior executives who put a club's financial stability or heritage at risk.