Schedules
Schedule 4

Threshold requirements
Section 18

Threshold requirements
1
The threshold requirements are—
a
the financial resources threshold requirement (see paragraph 2),
b
the non-financial resources threshold requirement (see paragraph 3), and
c
the fan engagement threshold requirement (see paragraph 4).

Financial resources
2
1
The financial resources threshold requirement is met, in relation to a club, if the financial resources of the club are appropriate in relation to the activities the club carries on or seeks to carry on.
2
In considering whether a club has appropriate financial resources, the IFR may have regard to (among other things)—
a
the corporate structure of the club and, where the club is part of a group, the group;
b
the club’s latest financial plan (see paragraph 2 of Schedule 5), including in particular—
i
any financial risks identified in the plan, and
ii
any plans described in the plan for managing those risks;
c
the club’s strategic business plan (see section 16(5));
d
the specified competition in relation to which a relevant team is operated by the club;
e
any other competitions in relation to which a team is operated by the club;
f
the club’s non-financial resources.

Non-financial resources
3
1
The non-financial resources threshold requirement is met, in relation to a club, if the non-financial resources of the club are appropriate in relation to the activities the club carries on or seeks to carry on.
2
In considering whether a club has appropriate non-financial resources, the IFR may have regard to (among other things)—
a
the corporate structure of the club and, where the club is part of a group, the group;
b
the qualifications, experience, training and performance of the club’s owners and officers;
c
the club’s corporate governance arrangements, including the club’s latest corporate governance statement (see paragraph 4 of Schedule 5);
d
the specified competition in relation to which a relevant team is operated by the club;
e
any other competitions in relation to which a team is operated by the club;
f
the club’s financial resources.

Fan engagement
4
1
The fan engagement threshold requirement is met, in relation to a club, if the club has adequate and effective means by which—
a
the club consults its fans about the relevant matters, and
b
the club takes the views of its fans into account in making decisions about the relevant matters.
2
The relevant matters are matters relating to—
a
the club’s strategic direction and objectives;
b
the club’s business priorities;
c
operational and match-day issues, including ticket pricing;
d
the club’s heritage;
e
the club’s plans relating to additional fan engagement.
3
Matters that relate to the club’s heritage include matters relating to—
a
the club’s home ground (within the meaning of section 46);
b
any emblem or crest of a relevant team operated by the club;
c
the predominant home shirt colours of a relevant team operated by the club;
d
the name of a relevant team operated by the club.
4
If the club is in relevant insolvency proceedings (within the meaning given by paragraph 13(3) of Schedule 1) sub-paragraph (1)(b) applies to the extent that the power to make decisions about the relevant matters remains exercisable by the club.

Interpretation
5
For the purposes of this Schedule—
a
an undertaking (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Competition Act 1998) is part of a group if one or more bodies corporate which are comprised in the undertaking are members of the same group as one or more other bodies corporate;
b
two or more bodies corporate are members of the same group if—
i
one is the subsidiary of another, or
ii
both are subsidiaries of the same body corporate;
c
“subsidiary” has the meaning given by section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006.
Sch. 4 para. 1 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 100(2)(g)
Sch. 4 para. 2 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 100(2)(g)
Sch. 4 para. 3 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 100(2)(g)
Sch. 4 para. 4 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 100(2)(g)
Sch. 4 para. 5 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 100(2)(g)