The government plans to introduce strengthened owners’ and directors’ test to protect clubs and their fans from unscrupulous owners, a football corporate governance code and financial checks.

There will be new tests for owners and directors with a new fitness and propriety test to ensure the integrity of top executives and owners, stronger due diligence on the sources of wealth of owners and a requirement for robust financial planning.

There continues to be serious financial risk in the leagues. The combined net debt of clubs in the Premier League and Championship stood at £5.9bn at the end of the 2020/21 season.

The regulator will require clubs to demonstrate good basic financial practices; have appropriate financial resources or ‘buffers’ to meet cash flows and financial shocks; and protect the core assets of the club - such as the stadium - from harm.

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