Independent English football regulator fast-tracked for November start by UK government
The move, led by Lisa Nandy — the UK's Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport — will increase pressure on under-fire owners such as Sheffield Wednesday's Dejphon Chansiri to sell the club before the regulator becomes legally established.
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Under a new bill, owners can be stripped of their right to run clubs and the IFR can sanction takeovers at a price of their choice.
Though the authority is yet to form a board to work with chair David Kogan and has distance to cover before it becomes fully operational and able to work with clubs so they can understand new requirements, progress has been made with the recruitment of a CEO. Richard Monks, who spent 18 years at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is close to being announced and will begin in the role shortly.
A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) would not confirm Monks' hire but explained that economic distress at Wednesday, as well as Morecambe, who are suspended from the fifth-tier National League following their relegation from League Two last season, has increased the pace at which the government has been working through the law since July 21, when the Football Governance Act was passed.
'The ongoing challenges at Morecambe, Sheffield Wednesday and many other clubs before them show exactly why the Football Governance Act was needed and why we acted to push the legislation forward in the face of opposition,' the spokesperson said.
'The launch of the IFR is a priority. We recognise the need to move forward as quickly as possible whether that be implementing the required secondary legislation or appointing the regulator's board.'
Labour's sports minister, Stephanie Peacock met with Morecambe fans last week and is in touch with Wednesday supporters to set up a discussion. Meanwhile, DCMS suggests engagement with Morecambe and Sheffield members of parliament is ongoing.
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