Independent Football Regulator warns it will scrutinise Manchester City ownership after guilty verdict

The Independent Football Regulator has signalled it is prepared to act against Manchester City’s ownership structure after an independent commission found the club guilty of 114 charges of breaching Premier League financial regulations spanning 2009 to 2018.

IFR Chair David Kogan issued a pointed statement in the wake of the ruling, which centred on allegations of disguised owner funding, inaccurate financial reporting, and off-the-books managerial payments. “The independent commission’s decision raises serious issues,” Kogan said. “The IFR has powers to assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives and we will use these powers where appropriate, in the interests of protecting the sustainability, honesty and integrity of English football where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals.”

Kogan was careful to note that the regulator will not move immediately. With Manchester City expected to appeal the verdict, the IFR intends to allow all legal channels to run their course before committing to any formal regulatory action. “As the proceedings remain ongoing between Manchester City and the Premier League we will await further developments. We hope it can be resolved quickly for the sake of fans. For now, we have no further comment,” he added.

Established under the Football Governance Act, the IFR is a statutory body with oversight of the top five divisions of English men’s professional football. It operates independently of both the Premier League and the Football Association, with a mandate to protect the financial sustainability of clubs and address governance failures.

Critically, its powers extend beyond club-level sanctions. The IFR can test the fitness of individual owners and directors, disqualify those found unsuitable from involvement in running clubs, issue financial penalties, and compel changes in ownership. That scope means key figures within Manchester City’s hierarchy could face personal regulatory consequences once the appeals process concludes — consequences that would sit entirely separately from any sporting penalties the Premier League chooses to impose.

Manchester City have maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings and are understood to be preparing a formal appeal.