From the Athletic: Rupp Looking to Sell?

There is something akin to that already in place albeit a very slimmed down version ... and it is only applied in the event of a takeover of an existing club. Clubs which aren't involved in a change of ownership are rarely if ever subject to the future funding test as it's called.

I'm pleased that the IFR is introducing this 'new' licence test for all clubs and tightening its requirements. It's good that it will apply to all clubs and will cast a spotlight on the clubs' accounts. For some clubs, their accounts are currently less than transparent but still comply with the Companies Acts. That in my and others' opinion is less than what good governance in a sporting context requires and leads to Bury type situations in the lower leagues. I include our own in that. Over time it should help to bring some sanity into the football financial world. But more will be required imo.

 

That's largely because there isn't a 'Fit & Proper Persons' which accords with most people's expectations of such a thing!

It's a widely used term for something which is very different. The test is called the 'Owners & Directors Test'. It doesn't check whether the person is dodgy or whether any other businesses are run well or even whether the person has any experience in running a football club or any other sporting based club for that matter. It simply checks whether the person has any convictions for a limited number of serious financial crimes committed in the UK. It doesn't extend to financial crimes committed elsewhere in the world or to a whole load of other non-financial crimes which of course is important given the growing number of foreign owners in football. Hopefully, the new licencing arrangements will reinforce the ODT and broaden its coverage and result in a tightening of the rules on who can own and run football clubs .. and get rid of the charlatans as you call them!