Independent football regulator has now become law – Great news | OneFootball

The independent football regulator has now become law.

It received the royal assent yesterday (Monday 21 July 2025)

This was the very final box to be ticked, meaning it has passed into law and establishes the independent football regulator to oversee the men’s game in England’s top five divisions.

If anybody had any doubts as to whether this was a positive thing or not…

The very fact that the likes of Karren Brady and other similarly shameful characters at Premier League clubs have been so desperate for the independent football regulator not to happen, tells you everything.

Whilst as well as Premier League excesses (For example – The six clubs who tried to award themselves extra voting powers so they could dictate what happened in the future, then the same six trying to help form a European Super League), here’s hoping this new independent football regulator can help stop some of the shocking stuff going on further down the leagues, such as what the current owners of both Morecambe and Sheffield Wednesday are up to.

‘Football fans have hailed a “historic moment” for English football after a bill to establish an independent football regulator became law.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the bill was a “proud and defining moment for English football” and will usher in a “stronger, fairer future” for the game.

“This is an historic moment for football in this country,” said Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) chief executive Kevin Miles.

The Football Governance Act will grant powers to a body that is independent from government and football authorities.

It received Royal Assent on Monday, which means it has passed into law and establishes the regulator to oversee the men’s game in England’s top five divisions.

The regulator was a recommendation of a fan-led review into the game and a similar bill was introduced in March 2024 by the then Conservative government, but it failed to pass through Parliament before a general election was called in May. The Labour government reintroduced the bill four months later.

The regulator will be launched later this year. The government said the football industry would be consulted before changes are brought into force.

“Our landmark Football Governance Act delivers on the promise we made to fans. It will protect the clubs they cherish, and the vital role they play in our economy,” Starmer added.

As well as improving financial sustainability across the football pyramid, the regulator will also stop clubs from joining breakaway competitions, like the attempted European Super League proposal in 2021, which was roundly condemned by fans.

In its passage through Parliament, there was opposition from some Conservatives. West Ham United vice chair Karren Brady told the House of Lords there were “dangers lurking” in the bill, arguing it would affect competition. The Premier League was also critical of the need for a regulator.

IMAGO / Sportimage

Speaking to BBC sports editor Dan Roan, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “This is a huge moment for football fans because we’ve had far too many clubs including mine, Wigan Athletic, at risk from poor ownership and finances.

“This is the moment football fans can breathe a sigh of relief because we are fixing the foundations of football and putting fans back at the heart of the game where they belong.”

The Premier League is yet to comment but has repeatedly argued that English football is capable of governing itself, stating a regulator, external will have “unprecedented and untested powers to intervene in the distribution of [its] revenues”.

It also said a regulator could have “a negative impact on competitiveness, clubs’ investment in world-class talent and the aspiration that drives our global appeal and growth”.

What powers will the independent football regulator have?

Tough new financial regulation to make sure clubs have a long-term sustainable future

Stronger tests to stop rogue owners