Ensuring Compliance for Football Clubs

Football clubs operate in an increasingly complex financial environment. Activities such as offering season ticket finance or partnering with third-party providers may fall under FCA regulation—often without clubs realising it. Failure to comply can lead to serious consequences including fines, legal penalties, reputational damage, and disruption to key financial operations.

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The Regulatory Landscape

Understanding your obligations under the FCA's consumer credit framework is essential for safeguarding both your club’s finances and its reputation.

The FCA oversees all consumer credit activity in the United Kingdom (UK), ensuring that businesses operate with transparency and fairness. Clubs offering financial services must assess whether they require authorisation

The Risks of Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with FCA regulations can lead to serious consequences, including fines, legal penalties, and reputational damage. Additionally, regulatory non-compliance can disrupt key financial operations, deter potential investors, and complicate ownership transitions. Becoming an Appointed Representative (AR) of a Principal firm like Product Partnerships Limited (PPL) not only ensures regulatory compliance but also helps clubs build internal understanding of FCA expectations over time.

Clubs that fail to meet FCA requirements risk enforcement actions, including:

Unlimited fines and penalties
Regulatory investigations that can impact financial stability and investor confidence
Legal repercussions for individuals involved in unauthorised financial activities

Ignoring compliance obligations is not just a financial risk—it can affect a club’s reputation, supporter trust, and future investment opportunities.

The Options Available

The options available from PPL include:

Direct Authorisation

You are directly authorised by the FCA
PPL, as your Compliance Consultant, will assist with FCA RegData (Gabriel) submissions
PPL provides tailored compliance solutions to support and improve your regulatory health
You benefit from PPL’s expertise and experience in navigating the authorisation process
PPL will continue to support you in meeting your ongoing compliance obligations
You are responsible for making sure your employees keep up to date with FCA training
Treating Customers Fairly is central to your operations and can be clearly demonstrated
Your firm is responsible for managing and reporting complaints in line with FCA expectations

Appointed Representative (AR)

The Appointed Representative regime is a great route for firms launching new products and services or entering new markets:

You do not have to apply directly to the FCA for authorisation
You do not have to report data to the FCA through its RegData system
You do not pay FCA fees
PPL takes responsibility for your regulatory conduct and supplies the necessary systems, processes and compliance programmes to ensure you always remain compliant
You benefit from our best practice, experience and knowledge
You have all the support needed to ensure your sales and complaints processes are compliant
Your staff are fully trained

Why Choose the AR Route: Speed, Value, and Reduced Risk

For football clubs, compliance should support the business—not slow it down. The AR model offers:

Faster Market Entry – Clubs can be onboarded and trading quicker than if applying to be Directly Authorised
Lower Regulatory Risk – Regulatory responsibility sits with the Principal Firm, reducing direct exposure to the FCA.
Focus on Core Activities – Season ticket finance is often a small part of club operations. The AR model avoids disproportionate internal compliance investment.
High Value Partnership – Gain access to trusted finance providers, allowing seamless supporter financing without taking on direct regulatory burdens.
Complaint Oversight – The Principal Firm takes responsibility for managing and overseeing all complaints related to the finance offered, ensuring prompt, compliant handling.
Consumer Duty Compliance – The Principal ensures Consumer Duty compliance by monitoring outcomes, managing complaints from vulnerable customers, and producing the required annual Board report and supporting data.
Our Support – Guided by Experts, Backed by Experience

Why Choose the AR Route: Speed, Value, and Reduced Risk

Our Support: Guided by Experts, Backed by Experience

At PPL, we recognise that football clubs are new to the concept of becoming an AR. That’s why we provide a "handholding" approach, offering:

Tailored onboarding support to guide clubs step-by-step through the AR process
Ongoing compliance mentoring to develop regulatory awareness and internal capability over time
Trusted model that ensures all compliance obligations are met through structured oversight
Connections with vetted finance providers, enabling compliant season ticket finance from day one

Sports Clubs we work with

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If your club is unsure about its regulatory status or looking for a compliant and efficient way to offer financial services, speak with our team today. We’ll help you navigate the FCA landscape and find the best solution for your needs.

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