Independent Football Regulator targets first perpetrators as historical warning issued to club

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FT Desk

The Independent Football Regulator has taken advantage of the Football Governance Act for the first time by issuing a warning to Morecambe FC's owners after they failed to comply with information requests about the running of the club.

In July of 2025, MPs voted in the Football Governance Bill, a legislation that granted powers to a new organisation independent from government and football authorities.

"I am proud to be part of the winning team that has put our fans back on the pitch at the heart of the game, where they belong," Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said at the time.

"We are doing this for you because for too long, you have been treated as an afterthought at best or a nuisance at worst in a game that is only great because of you.

"This is for Macclesfield, for Wigan, for Bury, for Bolton, for Derby, for Reading, for Sheffield Wednesday, for Morecambe and for many, many more who have had to endure the misery of being put last when they should have been put first."

As part of the legislation, football club owners must comply with any information requests from the regulator.

Morecambe directors Kuljit Singh and Harjit Singh failed to reply to two requests for information under section 65 of the Act.

"The IFR has issued a warning notice to Morecambe Football Club Limited and to the club's two owners," an IFR statement read.

"It has been provisionally determined that the owners breached information requirements imposed upon them without reasonable excuse and, in accordance with the Football Governance Act, the IFR is therefore minded to issue a censure statement against these individuals and the club."

The IFR has the authority to publicly identify football clubs, owners, directors and senior executives that fail to satisfy licensing requirements.

It is also be able to impose financial sanctions, seek court orders to enforce compliance, and suspend or revoke a club's licence to operate.

In the summer of 2025, the Panjab Warriors group completed a takeover of the then National League side, saving it from administration.

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However, there has been a number of controversies surrounding their ownership since, including a transfer embargo placed upon the club due to a disputed payment due to former owners, Bond Group Investment.

The club's former head of marketing and communications, Gurpreet Singh Rehal, was also sanctioned by the United Kingdom government over suspected links to terrorist groups in India.

Singh was sanctioned and his assets frozen as the government believed he had taken part in terrorist activities such as fundraising and even recruitment and weapons purchasing for two groups - Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar.

Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby KC MP said at the time:

"We will not stand by while terrorists exploit Britain’s financial system. This landmark action shows we are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to choke off funding for terrorism – wherever it occurs and whoever is responsible. The UK stands firmly with peaceful communities against those who promote violence and hatred."

Following the release of the strory, Morecambe FC and Panjab Warriors said in a joint statement: “An individual who previously held a consultancy role in marketing and communications with our organisations is no longer affiliated with either Morecambe FC or Panjab Warriors.”

There is now zero presence of Singh in any company directory.

When the Panjab Warriors completed their takeover, however, Singh was actually the frontman for the deal and appears in many media releases as well as photos on the club's social media and official website.