How Elite prepares a club's Independent Football Regulator licence application, from ownership and funding to governance and fans.

Seven pieces of work behind an IFR application, how an engagement runs, and the two ways to work with Elite.

How Sato Elite’s three co-founders bring substantive preparation, practical governance processes and software together for your club.

The published provisional licence requirements area by area, the 38 Annex A questions and the five Club Code principles.

Guides and analysis on IFR licensing, club finance, ownership tests, fan engagement and football governance news.

An illustrative worked example with a fictional club, showing how a funding gap becomes an owned question for the board.

An illustrative board-pack extract with a fictional club, showing sources, open questions and the decision.

Sign in to your club's Elite workspace or accept an invitation.

Analysis, 5 October 2026. What the independent commission found against Manchester City, what happens next, where the IFR fits, and the practical lessons for Championship to National League clubs.

Guide, 5 October 2026. A plain guide to the Independent Football Regulator's provisional licence application: the window, the 38 Annex A questions, the documents and who signs.

Guide, 4 October 2026. What the regulator's forecast template asks for, how to evidence owner funding, and how to keep the financial plan current once your club is licensed.

Guide, 3 October 2026. What the IFR application asks about fan consultation, what a usable record looks like, and how to make supporters' views part of real club decisions.

Guide, 2 October 2026. Who counts as an owner, what the IFR assesses, when the test applies, and how it connects to the personnel statement in your provisional licence application.