Premier League clubs ‘to fund’ rising regulator costs amid levy uncertainty | OneFootball

Premier League clubs are growing concerned about the cost and structure of the Independent Football Regulator, with uncertainty over how much each side, including Sunderland, could be asked to pay.

According to The Guardian, the regulator’s operating budget is thought to have risen well beyond an initial £10 million a year, but clubs say they have received little detail despite seeking clarity.

Boston Consulting Group has been appointed, a move communicated to clubs last week, and is expected to help produce a State of the Game report to shape future financial rules.

Government funding is due to end at the start of the 2027-28 season, after which clubs across the top five tiers are expected to finance the body via a levy. It remains unclear whether payments will be even or weighted by revenue or European participation, though many expect Premier League sides to shoulder most of the cost.

The debate comes as operational and legal bills rise. Combined Premier League losses for 2024-25 are reported at £1.65 billion, and clubs have pressed IFR chair David Kogan and chief executive Richard Monks for figures without success.

A formal consultation is expected later this year, involving clubs and other stakeholders before final decisions are taken. Sunderland’s stance under joint owners Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori is not yet clear, though as a Premier League club they would be among contributors once the model takes effect.

Source: Sunderland Echo