The annual cost to clubs of the Independent Regulator (IFR) for English football has risen to £20.3m, roughly twice the figure originally projected.
The regulator, established to provide independent oversight of the sport in England, will see its running costs met by contributions from clubs. The newly reported £20.3m figure marks a substantial increase from early estimates and raises questions about the scale of the financial burden placed on clubs across the leagues.
The higher-than-expected charge is likely to be examined by club directors and governing bodies as they assess budgets for the coming seasons. For smaller clubs in particular, an increased levy to fund regulation could represent a more significant share of operating costs.
Officials have not provided additional detail in the summary information released alongside the figure, and further breakdowns of the costs and how they will be apportioned between clubs are expected to follow. The development is likely to prompt debate about the balance between independent oversight and the financial pressures experienced by clubs at all levels of the game.