IFA and NIFL to discuss takeover checks as Gerard Lawlor reveals fears a club could go bust

Gerard Lawlor said investment could be a good thing, but protections needed to be in place

Larne won the Gibson Cup for the first time in 2022/23 under the ownership of Kenny Bruce

Ali Pour has pumped money into Glentoran

Carrick Rangers' new majority shareholder Michael Smith

NIFL and the IFA are to meet to discuss fit and proper club ownership regulations as Gerard Lawlor admitted he feared one of his clubs could go bust.

The Northern Ireland Football League Chief Executive was prompted to reveal his concerns following recent buyout deals at Coleraine and Carrick Rangers, whose majority shareholder is now Michael Smith.

The takeovers of Larne and Glentoran by Kenny Bruce and Ali Pour respectively have changed the landscape of Irish League football and more clubs are looking at outside investment in order to keep pace with the millionaire owners.

Crusaders accepted a buyout offer from Irama, headed by Ian Rush, but the deal collapsed due to fears about tax liabilities.

In the League of Ireland, Dundalk endured a torrid time after a disastrous takeover by American investors Peak 6 in 2018.

NIFL and the Irish FA were due to meet to discuss implementing regulations around ownership to protect clubs, but the meeting was postponed.

Lawlor insists investment, if done correctly and regulated properly, can be beneficial but did not hesitate when asked directly if he feared an Irish League club could go bust in the future.

“Yes,” said the NIFL CEO. “Look, people say to me about investors, they’ve got to be welcomed.

“I look at Larne and I see what they have done on the field, off the field and I think Larne are almost pulling away in some cases off the field, so investment can be very positive.

“They can also be a concern when