Owning and Operating a Football Club

Any new Independent Regulator for English [Pyramid] Football (IREF) should establish new Owners’ and Directors’ tests for clubs, replacing the three existing tests and ensuring that only good custodians and qualified directors can run these vital assets. 

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* 1. Through licence conditions, the new Owners’ and Directors’ Test should be split into two parts, one test for owners’ (i.e. those who own a minimum of 25% shares in the club alone or acting in concert with others) and one test for directors as well as shadow directors, executive management and any individuals holding those roles regardless of job title.

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* 2. In addition to existing rules, prospective new owners should also be required to: 
* submit a business plan for assessment by IREF (to include financial forecasts). 
* evidence sufficient financial resources to meet the requirements of the business plan. 
* be subject to enhanced due diligence checks on source of funds to be developed with the Home Office and National Crime Agency.
* pass an integrity test

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* 3. In addition to not being subject to the disqualification criteria, a prospective Director should also be required to:
* demonstrate that they have the necessary professional qualifications, and/ or transferable skills, and/or relevant experience to run the club.
* pass an integrity test in the same manner as prospective owners.
* declare any conflicts of interest.
* declare any personal, professional or business links with the owner of the club in question, or any other club owner (past or present).

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* 4. IREF should conduct, and where possible, publish the results of the Owners’ Test and the Directors’ Test: -
* on entry – for any new Owner or Director.
* annually – any appointed Owner or Director should be required to declare to IREF, as an annual compliance statement, any changes in circumstance within one month of said change, or at the stage of annual licence renewal, if no changes have occurred.
* every three years – for Owners only. Any existing owner should re-pass the test on a three year review

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* 5. IREF should have a range of sanctions to enforce breaches of Owners’ and Directors’ tests

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* 6. It should be a licence condition that the identity of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) of a club be declared to IREF

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* 7. Please leave any additional comments you may have on governance in football in this box

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