Morecambe are set to be censured by the Independent Football Regulator

Morecambe have become the first club to receive a warning notice from the new Independent Football Regulator (IFR).

It comes after club owners and directors, Kuljit Singh Momi and Harjit Singh, failed to respond to two requests for information in a timely manner under section 65 of the Football Governance Act.

A 12-page statement on the IFR website explained that the regulator had issued a request for information (RFI) to the club on February 20 to establish and oversee its owners, directors and senior executives, issuing a deadline of March 20.

It added the club had failed to meet that deadline or ask for an extension, with another information request issued on March 31 for a deadline of April 8.

A letter was also sent out on March 31, relating to other matters, but also reminding the club and respondents that the IFR was still awaiting responses to the request on February 20.

Momi then responded with an email on April 8, only for the IFR to deem the content as failing to address the questions previously posed.

That was pointed out to Momi the following day in a reply to his email, which requested all missing information to be submitted by April 14.

With that deadline having been missed, the IFR issued an investigation notice on June 4 in which it said there were reasonable grounds to suspect respondents had failed to comply with information requests without reasonable excuse.

Another deadline to provide missing information and an explanation for non-compliance was set for June 12, though no response was given.

Instead, Momi emailed the IFR on that date to say ‘detailed and comprehensive responses’ would be issued to the IFR by June 15.

A reply to the investigation notice was received on June 16, in which it was noted that some of the missing information was provided, ‘while leaving several questions unanswered.’

As a result, the IFR considered that each of the respondents had breached information requirements imposed upon them without reasonable excuse.

The IFR statement went on to outline the response on June 16, setting out why respondents had struggled to meet a number of previous deadlines.

These included a spell from December 2025 through to February 2026, during which there were significant changes and senior board and management level, ill health affecting senior personnel and having to take ‘full stock of the situation at the club which made meeting deadlines difficult.’

Having considered all the facts and circumstances, the IFR concluded that a failure to comply with the RFIs amounted to a level one breach and it was proposed that a censure statement would be issued against both the club and the owners.

Although relegation to National League North means Morecambe are outside the IFR’s jurisdiction, the censure statement is still expected to be issued subject to any representation from the club or owners by July 28.

Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Lizzi Collinge, who strongly criticised former owner Bond Group during last summer’s protracted sale process to Panjab Warriors, supported the IFR’s move.

She said: “I welcome the Independent Football Regulator’s statement regarding Morecambe FC, and the action it has taken to hold those responsible to account.

“Supporters, staff and the wider Morecambe community deserve transparency and professionalism from those entrusted with the future of our football club.

“This is exactly why this Government created the Independent Football Regulator.

“The regulator’s concerns relate to repeated failures to comply and provide information that was legally required, despite multiple opportunities to do so.

“It is right that these matters are taken seriously, and I am pleased to see the regulator using the powers that this Government gave it to ensure accountability and proper standards of governance in the game.

“At a time when Morecambe FC has faced significant uncertainty, fans and the Shrimps Trust have shown remarkable loyalty and resilience, my priority remains supporting a sustainable future for the club, protecting the interests of supporters, and ensuring confidence can be rebuilt both on and off the pitch.

“This Warning Notice is an important step in that process, and I hope it helps reinforce the principle that football clubs, their owners and directors must be open, transparent and accountable to the communities they serve.”

Morecambe have been approached for a response to the IFR statement.