FOLLOWING the recent announcement of a minority investment in Liverpool FC by 1892 Holdings, Spirit of Shankly contacted the Football Supporters Association (FSA) to facilitate a meeting with the Independent Football Regulator (IFR). As the recognised supporters’ trust, we support the introduction of the IFR in the belief that football needs strong governance to protect clubs.
Earlier this week, SOS (and the FSA) met with the IFR to better understand the process involved in any potential owners of football clubs: the Owners, Directors, Senior Executives (ODSE) test.
As Liverpool supporters, we know all too well the importance of good governance and club ownership, through our experience from 2007 to 2010, and also through those at other clubs.
The IFR talked us through the test that will be undertaken on any prospective owners or board members of a club. Due to confidentiality, they are not able to confirm if any application has been made or to discuss any individuals reported to be involved; but they were able to give us some assurances that the process is robust, and primarily, much improved on past tests.
In addition, we have written to LFC and FSG to ask for a meeting along with 1892 Holdings, so that we can begin to understand more what their position at the club will mean, and to ask questions that members and supporters have put to us – concerns around the new structure of ownership; potential changes this will bring at LFC and, by association, what it could mean for supporters.
Our constant aim is to represent the best interests of our members and supporters, and to hold whoever owns LFC to account. Through our relationships and engagement with the club, we have done this since 2008, and will continue to do so.
**ODSE Test
**It covers three main areas
* Requisite honesty and integrity
* Requisite financial soundness
* Requisite competence
Within these areas, issues such as criminality, bankruptcy, regulatory inquiries and more are investigated.
The process has a statutory time limit of 90 days
If supporters have any concerns they would like to flag to the IFR, please submit [here](https://tally.so/r/MeZ9gE%0A)
Further information on the ODSE test can be found [here](https://www.footballregulator.org.uk/odse)