Part 1

Purpose, overview and key definitions

Purpose and overview
1
1
The purpose of this Act is to protect and promote the sustainability of English football.
2
For that purpose—
a
Part 2 establishes the Independent Football Regulator (referred to in this Act as “the IFR”) and makes provision about the exercise of its functions;
b
Part 3 makes provision for the IFR to grant operating licences to football clubs;
c
Part 4 provides for the IFR to make determinations about whether persons are suitable to be owners or officers of football clubs;
d
Part 5 imposes various duties on football clubs, the owners and officers of football clubs and the organisers of football competitions;
e
Part 6 provides a mechanism whereby the IFR can make an order requiring the organiser of a football competition to distribute revenue received by that organiser;
f
Parts 7 and 8 make provision about the investigation and enforcement powers of the IFR;
g
Part 9 makes provision about reviews of and appeals from decisions of the IFR;
h
Part 10 makes general provision, including about the disclosure of information by and to the IFR.
3
For the purposes of this section, English football is sustainable if it—
a
continues to serve the interests of fans of regulated clubs, and
b
continues to contribute to the economic or social well-being of the local communities with which regulated clubs are associated.
4
For the meanings of “English football”, “regulated club” and for other key terms used in this Act, see section 2.
S. 1 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 100(2)(a)