Page 35 - Spring Summer 2026

FST Newsletter Issue 57: July 2026 FST Newsletter Issue 57: July 2026

REGULATORY DECISIONS REPORTS AND GUIDANCE

Players Foundation case highlights risks of close £1.39 million redistributed after charity founder Charity Commission updates conflicts of and what charities should consider as a result. This
connections with non-charities sanctioned interest guidance (CC29) includes that charities should identify what tools
are available regarding each social media account
The Players Foundation (‘the charity’), formerly known Kantor Foundation and Kantor Charitable Foundation The Charity Commission has updated its guidance
they have, and develop a policy to guide them in
as The Professional Footballers’ Association Charity, had were dissolved and removed from the charity register on conflicts of interest following an uptick in cases
identifying and dealing with inappropriate or illegal
a long-standing close relationship with The Professional on 30 May 2025 following their founder, Vitacheslav involving these.
content posted to their pages by third parties.
Footballers’ Association (‘PFA’). Kantor, being found responsible for misconduct and
Charity Commission analysis found that most
mismanagement. Read more: Charity Commission guidance; VWV;
The PFA is a trade union for current and former unmanaged conflicts occur due to lack of awareness
Ofcom guidance and online checker
footballers. The charity had an informal arrangement Kantor was sanctioned by the UK government in 2022, of when a conflict has occurred, and steps therefore
to pay 80% of the PFA’s operating costs, as payment prompting the Commission to investigate both charities. not being taken to protect charity assets and
New government guidance for employers on
for services from them. The charity received £1.9m The inquiries concluded that both charities were no reputation. The new guidance is intended to be
equality action plans
from the Football Association, which was transferred to longer viable as Kantor was the sole donor and it was shorter and clearer, and includes worked examples of
the PFA without appropriate governance. The PFA had unlikely that either charity would be able to secure future situations when a conflict can arise. The Employment Rights Act 2025 requires large
also been allowed to occupy the charity’s properties funding, and there were no trustees to run it following employers (those with 250 or more employees) to
Read more: Charity Commission guidance; Charity
rent-free for several years. The PFA CEO and Director of resignations after Kantor being sanctioned. The inquiries develop and publish equality action plans.
Commission blog; Mills & Reeve; Farrer & Co
Finance were ex-officio trustees of the charity. A Charity also determined that reputational damage arising from
Publishing these plans is currently voluntary, but will
Commission inquiry concluded that the trustees had the designation made the chance of resolving these
failed to act in the best interests of the charity and matters through fundraising or recruitment unlikely. Charity Commission updates guidance on become mandatory from April 2027. Equality action
manage its resources appropriately, and that, taken Following the conclusion of the investigations, £1.39m disposing of charity land (CC28) plans must show what steps an organisation is taking
together, the failings constituted mismanagement in in gift aid funds recovered from the charities has been in relation to achieving equality in the workforce,
The Charity Commission has updated its CC28
the administration of the charity. The case highlights redistributed to several other organisations in the sector. specifically regarding reducing gender pay gaps and
guidance to reflect changes brought in by the Renters’
the importance of trustees regularly managing and supporting staff going through the menopause. The
Read more: Civil Society News; Charity Commission Rights Act, which came into force on 1 May 2026. government has published guidance on the topic,
reviewing arrangements with non-charities, and
having robust conflicts of interest policies in place. The The key principles of the guidance are unchanged. and Bates Wells has written a helpful article outlining
Commission’s guidance on connections to non-charities Commission closes compliance case into City of Trustees must be satisfied that any sale or lease is in what is required.
provides detailed information on managing and Sanctuary UK their charity’s best interests, that appropriate advice Read more: Gov.uk; Bates Wells
reviewing relationships with non-charity organisations. has been taken where needed, and that the terms are
The Commission’s inquiry into City of Sanctuary UK
fair. The reforms brought in under the Renters’ Rights
Read more: Charity Commission; Stone King; Civil Society News followed allegations by an MP that the charity had Act include greater tenant protections and changes ICO guidance on handling FOI requests that
engaged in inappropriate political activity. involve use of AI
to how possession and rent increases operate, all
Commission disqualifies married trustees The inquiry found no evidence to support the allegations, of which may affect charities that grant residential The ICO has published new guidance to help
and no evidence of inappropriate political activity. leases. organisations handle Freedom of Information (FOI)
A married couple have been disqualified from holding
It also found that the charity’s work complied with requests that involve the use of AI.
senior positions in charities after a Charity Commission Read the guidance: Charity Commission; Anthony
the Commission’s guidance on political activity and
investigation uncovered regulatory failings at two Collins Solicitors The guidance covers practical issues including:
campaigning, and was in line with the charity’s objects
charities they managed. managing requests generated using AI that
regarding supporting refugees and asylum seekers. The
The couple maintained overall control and Commission expressed concern that the charity had Charity Commission updates social media misinterpret or misquote FOI legislation; dealing with
administration of the finances of both charities they faced a misinformation campaign resulting in threats to guidance higher volumes of requests that require clarification
or refinement; and maintaining fair and consistent
managed. The inquiry found that payments of £44k were trustees and staff. The case highlights the importance of The Charity Commission has updated its guidance on
made to one of the couple, who was also a CEO of one trustees ensuring decisions are properly documented, charities and social media to refer to the Online Safety handling of requests. The guidance also includes
of the charities, as well as rental payments of over £20k having clear and up to date policies, and robust Act 2023, which places duties on social media platform examples of wording that can be used to encourage
to her parent for charity use of a property. The inquiry oversight of how activities might be perceived externally. providers and search engines to keep people safe responsible use of AI by requesters.
found several other instances of misappropriation Read the guidance: ICO
Read more: Charity Commission online.
or misapplication of funds, including payment to a
gambling organisation. The inquiry concluded that there Charities should ensure they understand what
was serious misconduct and/or mismanagement in the online services they provide and whether they are
administration of the charities due to the poor financial regulated under the Online Safety Act. Ofcom, the
management and governance by the trustees. Both online regulator, has guidance and a tool to help
charities have been removed from the register. organisations work out if they are regulated. VWV
has produced a helpful summary of the changes
Read more: Charity Commission; Civil Society News
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