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Football regulator proposes cost controls amid financial losses at clubs

The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 12, 2026, 2:28 PM

Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Football regulator proposes cost controls amid financial losses at clubs

Summary

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) plans to recommend cost controls for football clubs in England. A draft report, scheduled for release on Tuesday, reveals that 94% of the top 116 clubs are operating at a loss. The report will include strategies aimed at improving the financial sustainability of these clubs. Following an eight-week public consultation, a final version of the report is expected in the spring of 2027.

Source Links

The Guardian Sport

By the Numbers

•IFR to recommend cost controls in draft report on financial sustainability.
•Report reveals 94% of clubs are currently making losses.
•Public consultation begins this week, running for eight weeks.
•Final report to be published in spring 2027.

Latest Updates

2:28 PMThe Guardian Sport — Football regulator to recommend cost controls in landmark report with 94% of clubs making loss

What they're saying

"
Report published on Tuesday before consultation period It will have recommendations to improve sustainability The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) is to recommend clubs introduce greater cost controls in its long-awaited State of the Game report, to be published on Tuesday. The 250-page draft report, with a final version to follow in the spring after an eight-week public consultation beginning this week, will paint a damning picture of the financial state of English men’s football, including the stark finding that 94% of the top 116 clubs are loss-making. Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Matt Hughes

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