Regulator to propose tighter cost controls across clubs

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 13, 2026

The Independent Football Regulator has revealed that 94% of England’s top 116 men’s football clubs are operating at a loss, with up to 17 lower-division clubs facing potential bankruptcy without owner support. The report’s findings coincide with tense negotiations over increased financial settlements between the Premier League and EFL and may lead to stronger regulatory interventions to ensure club sustainability.

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) is set to release its first State of the Game report, presenting a detailed assessment of the financial health of English men’s football. The draft, spanning 250 pages, reveals significant concerns about the sustainability of club finances across the top tiers, with findings that 94% of the 116 leading clubs are operating at a loss.

The report, scheduled for publication this week alongside an eight-week public consultation, will include recommendations aimed at enhancing cost controls and improving financial stability throughout the football pyramid. IFR chair David Kogan and chief executive Richard Monks are expected to outline key points at a press conference in Manchester, where questions are anticipated regarding the regulator’s authority to enforce ownership changes, particularly in cases where independent commissions have found wrongdoing, such as those involving Manchester City.

One of the more alarming findings detailed by the IFR highlights the precarious position of some English Football League (EFL) clubs. Kogan has reportedly cautioned that up to 17 clubs could face bankruptcy within a month without continued financial backing from their owners. This underscores the need for urgent measures to safeguard the viability of clubs in the lower divisions.

The report was commissioned as part of the Football Governance Act, which established the IFR to administer enhanced ownership and governance tests. The regulator holds the power to intervene where clear evidence of misconduct by owners or senior executives exists.

The IFR’s findings arrive amid ongoing negotiations between the Premier League and the EFL over a new financial settlement. The Premier League has proposed a package worth £180 million annually over ten years, an increase from the current £150 million per year. However, the EFL has countered with a demand for £207 million annually and the inclusion of a five-year review clause. The EFL has also pushed for the creation of a “lifeboat fund” to support clubs facing financial distress.

Despite the Premier League’s revised offer reportedly rising to as much as £320 million per year in later stages of negotiations, EFL representatives continue to seek an additional £27 million specifically for League One and League Two teams. The IFR has indicated a preference for a negotiated settlement but retains the authority to impose a funding agreement if the parties fail to reach consensus.

These developments come at a crucial juncture for English football, as regulators, leagues, and clubs grapple with addressing chronic financial challenges and establishing a more sustainable economic framework for the future. The forthcoming final version of the IFR’s report, expected in spring following consultation, will likely play a significant role in shaping the sector’s regulatory landscape.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.