The Athletic FC Podcast Meet the man expected to fix English football
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Nov 18, 2025 David Kogan, Chair of the Independent Football Regulator, brings his extensive experience in football to discuss his pivotal role in reshaping English football. He shares insights on the regulator's independence from leagues and politicians, and how it will enforce licensing and financial regulations to prevent club crises. Kogan highlights the necessity of fit-and-proper tests for owners, the importance of protecting club assets, and his personal stakes as a passionate Spurs fan, emphasizing the role's significance in safeguarding teams for their supporters.
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Regulator’s Core Mission
- The Independent Football Regulator focuses on club resilience, financial sustainability and strengthening fans' voice rather than match-level decisions.
- Its main levers are licensing, fit-and-proper person tests, a state-of-the-game report, and a backstop power to intervene if leagues fail to agree.
How Kogan Got Appointed
- David Kogan recounts being approached by both Conservative and Labour governments before applying and requesting a full appointments process.
- He admits he didn't initially declare small leadership donations and accepts that omission might have been naive though Shawcross found no suitability concerns.
Independence From Politics And Leagues
- Kogan argues his prior commercial ties across leagues do not compromise independence and stresses legal separation from DCMS from November 1st.
- He says ministers are not influencing operational work and the regulator will engage with politicians of all parties on community issues.