Football Governance Act 2025

57 Applications for resolution process to be triggered

(1) A specified competition organiser may apply to the IFR for the resolution process to be triggered where—

(a) one or more questions have arisen between that organiser and another specified competition organiser, and

(b) the question or questions relate to the distribution, in or in respect of one or more qualifying football seasons, of relevant revenue received by one of those organisers.

(2) But a specified competition organiser may apply to the IFR under subsection (1) only if one or more of the following conditions are met in relation to the qualifying football season or seasons to which the question or questions for resolution mentioned in subsection (1) relate.

(3) Condition 1 is met in relation to a qualifying football season if—

(a) no distribution agreement is in force between the two specified competition organisers in relation to the season, and

(b) no distribution order has effect in respect of the two specified competition organisers in relation to the season.

(4) Condition 2 is met in relation to a qualifying football season if there has been, or will be, a material reduction in the relevant revenue received by one specified competition organiser in or in respect of that season compared to the relevant revenue received by that specified competition organiser in or in respect of any preceding season in relation to which (as the case may be)—

(a) the last distribution agreement entered into between the two specified competition organisers had effect, or

(b) the last distribution order made in relation to those organisers had effect.

(5) Condition 3 is met in relation to a qualifying football season if, in relation to the relevant revenue received or to be received by either or both of the specified competition organisers in or in respect of that season, there has been or will be a material change in circumstances since (as the case may be)—

(a) the day on which the last distribution agreement was entered into between those organisers, or

(b) the day on which the last distribution order was made in relation to those organisers.

(6) Condition 4 is met in relation to a qualifying football season if—

(a) a distribution agreement is in force between the two specified competition organisers in relation to the season,

(b) the distribution agreement has been in force for at least five years, and

(c) no distribution order has effect in respect of the specified competition organisers in relation to the season.