The Charity Commission has found "serious mismanagement" at the Professional Footballers' Association Charity, now called the Players Foundation. An inquiry launched in 2019 revealed £1.9m from the Football Association was transferred to the players' union without clear explanation. The charity also funded about 80% of the union's operating costs, creating conflicts of interest when multiple trustees held salaried positions.

The regulatory probe uncovered the charity owned properties occupied rent-free by the union, costing more than £627,000 with interest added. Funding a trade union is not considered a charitable purpose under law. Following intervention, the £1.9m and unpaid rent were returned, while the charity received an official warning in September 2022. The PFA's director of finance was disqualified from trusteeship for four years.

Remedial actions have now been implemented, including proper separation from the union, appointment of new trustees, and establishment of a distinct identity. The charity adopted a new funding model after the Football Association and Premier League stopped funding. The Players Foundation welcomed the inquiry's conclusion, stressing no funds were lost and beneficiaries were never impacted, with the organization now focused solely on charitable support.