Premier League clubs unhappy at rising costs of Independent Football Regulator

Premier League clubs are increasingly unhappy at the Independent Football Regulator’s (IFR’s) rising costs and uncertainty about how much each club will be made to pay.

Premier League and EFL clubs have repeatedly asked the IFR for an update on its operating budget, which is believed to have risen significantly from the annual £10m projected by the previous government, and been frustrated by the limited response.

Their concerns are understood to have been increased by the IFR’s appointment of the US firm Boston Consulting Group to assist it, which was communicated to the clubs last week.

The Premier League’s operating costs and legal expenses have increased significantly over the past five years and its clubs, who posted combined operating losses of £1.65bn in the 2024-25 season, do not welcome the additional financial commitment related to the IFR, though the levy imposed on them will be a tiny fraction of their revenue.

The IFR is currently paid for by the government through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, but that central funding will run out at the start of the 2027-28 season, when the clubs will be asked to foot the bill.

When the Football Governance Bill was introduced two years ago by the Conservative government the budget was estimated at £100m over 10 years, and the clubs have not been updated.

The IFR chair, David Kogan, and chief executive, Richard Monks, are understood to have been interrogated by clubs at the Premier League’s shareholders’ meeting last month, and faced similar questions when attending the EFL’s AGM, without providing firm answers.

David Kogan, the IFR chair, was interrogated by clubs at the Premier League’s shareholders’ meeting last month. Photograph: House of Commons/PA

The budget is due to be set by the IFR board, with sources indicating it is developing and reviewing the costs.

The IFR has confirmed its operating costs will be met by a levy on the 116 clubs in the top five men’s divisions from the Premier League to the National League, but the precise nature of the levy has not been disclosed.

There is a widespread acceptance that the Premier League clubs will foot most of the bill but it is unclear whether all 20 will have the same levy, or whether those in the Champions League, for example, will be forced to pay more.