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.
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.
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.
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
Our Football Club Clients include
Get in Touch
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.
Sectors We Also Operate In
BVRLA
Product Partnerships (PPL) are the BVRLA's national inspector for over 1,000 motor finance companies and dealerships across the UK. We carry out the BVRLA's Leasing Broker, Principal & Appointed Representative inspection programs.
Green Energy
Product Partnerships (PPL) supports retailers within the green energy market and understands the consumers needs in ensuring retailers operate in a compliant way putting the consumer at the heart of everything they do.
Motor Finance
Here at Product Partnerships (PPL) we are experts in car, motorcycle, and leisure vehicle consumer credit, working manufacturers as well as car dealerships across the UK. With a pedigree and background born from the car finance market our expert team can support firms wishing to develop their consumer credit proposition and ensure compliance.
Technology & Retail
Product Partnerships (PPL) work with some of the biggest and well known technology retailers, designing compliant customer journeys through online, retail stores, and omni channels. These retailers attract high finance penetration and often require a bespoke solution to meet the consumers needs.
Leisure & Fitness
Online Retailers
Product Partnerships (PPL) works with some of the largest and well known on-line retailers, supporting them in ensuring their customers understand the credit products on offer and that the regulatory journey is compliant
Furniture Retail
Product Partnerships (PPL) supports furniture retailers with large store footprints across the UK, and online, working alongside some of the biggest and well known brands.