IFR warns: English club football on the brink of a financial disaster

In a sober office in London, the regulator (IFR) presented a report that described the financial state of English club football as a “catastrophe on the brink.” Chairman David Kogan spoke on Tuesday in a serious tone, while in the background Erling Haaland, who is under contract with Manchester City, could be seen.

Financial Figures and Warnings

The IFR report showed that the English league generated £9 billion (€10.6 billion) in revenue last season, but 94 percent of clubs in the top five divisions recorded losses. Kogan emphasized that nothing lasts forever and called for robust contingency plans in case funding from club owners disappears.

Furthermore, the report projected that total debt would exceed £5 billion (€5.9 billion) by the end of the current season, while net transfer debt is expected to be £3.4 billion (€4 billion).

The IFR also sees a model for redistributing Premier‑League revenue to the lower leagues as necessary, although the leagues have not yet reached an agreement. Kogan explained that the report is a wake‑up call for English football and that the foundation stones of the pyramid must be urgently reformed.

“We can fix the house as long as the sun is still shining,” Kogan said in an interview with the BBC, emphasizing that now is the right time to tackle the problems before the money gradually runs out.