Owning a football club

Ways and means of owning a football club are determined by the type of legal entity of the club (its legal form). Legal forms are determined by the general rules of the national law of incorporation, but the rules may differ when it comes to football clubs. States take different views as to the legal forms available to football clubs, especially professional football clubs. Rules regarding ownership of football clubs, and consequently regarding management are influenced by various factors, and there are no universally accepted and followed principles. Due to the popularity of football worldwide, and its influence beyond football, these rules are constantly under the scrutiny of the public, notably football fans. Ownership models must take into account not only the economic and legal aspects but also, at least on equal footing, the specificity of football and sport in general.