David Kogan, the chairman of England’s Independent Football Regulator (IFR), has warned that he would step down if he faced any political pressure over the ongoing investigation into Manchester City. The regulator, who has the authority to evaluate the fitness of club owners and executives, said that the independence of the IFR is paramount and that no politician can influence its decisions. “We are independent,” Kogan told BBC Sport, adding that he would resign if a politician tried to interfere with the case.
The controversy stems from an independent commission’s findings that Manchester City’s owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), breached Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2018. The commission alleged that the club’s owners inflated the value of commercial deals as part of a “disguised funding scheme” amounting to £830 million. City has denied the accusations and is appealing the verdict. The commission’s report also highlighted that several club witnesses provided false or misleading evidence during the investigation.
The political dimension entered the fray when former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, now the UK Prime Minister, publicly expressed concern that the scandal might force the Abu Dhabi owners to sell the club. Burnham’s comments were later described by the government as “downplaying the seriousness of the findings.” Several Premier League clubs reportedly felt uneasy about the Prime Minister’s remarks, raising fears of political interference in the appeal process. In response, Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, demanded that all meetings between the Prime Minister and senior City officials be made public, a request that the government complied with on Monday.
Kogan, who was appointed to the IFR chairmanship a year ago, has faced scrutiny over his past political donations to Labour figures such as Sir Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy. Shadow Culture Minister Louie French has written to the government expressing concerns about the IFR’s impartiality. Kogan dismissed these concerns, stating that any attempt by a politician to meddle would be met with the regulator’s commitment to probity and that any challenge to the IFR’s actions would be left to the courts.
The independent panel will soon hold a sanctions hearing, which could take months, to decide Manchester City’s punishment. The club could face a hefty fine, point deductions, or even expulsion from the Premier League. City retains the right to appeal both the guilty verdicts and the sanctions, leaving the league’s future uncertain. Kogan emphasized the importance of a swift resolution, noting that the case raises “very serious issues” if the club is found guilty on appeal. He added that the IFR will only consider withholding a club license after a full assessment of the situation.
As the investigation proceeds, the IFR remains committed to its statutory powers, which focus on the suitability of individual owners, directors, and senior executives rather than the ownership structure itself. Kogan concluded that while the case does not directly question state‑connected ownership, it underscores the need for transparent and accountable governance in English football.