Football Governance Bill: Independent football regulator bill introduced

The UK government is set to establish an independent football regulator when the Football Governance Bill is tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.

The bill would give an independent body, independent of the government or football authorities, the power to oversee Britain's national sport.

The government has announced plans to appoint a regulator in February 2023, following a fan-led review in 2022.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said it was a “historic moment for football fans”.

“This will ensure that their voices are heard at the center,” he added. “Soccer has long been one of our greatest sources of national pride.

“But for too long, some clubs have been abused by unscrupulous owners who get away with financial mismanagement, and in the worst cases complete loss, as we saw in the tragic Bury and Macclesfield Town cases. It could lead to collapse.”

The bill follows a fan-led review that says a regulator is needed for the long-term financial stability of the men's professional game following issues such as financial mismanagement and plans to separate the European Super League. It is.

This season, Everton and Nottingham Forest received point deductions for breaching the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).

The regulator's powers will center around three core objectives: improving the financial sustainability of clubs, ensuring the financial resilience of the league as a whole and safeguarding the heritage of English football.

Rick Parry, chairman of the English Football League (EFL), said: “This landmark legislation, if implemented in the right conditions, will ensure that all clubs survive and ensure their continued existence. “It could help fix the game's broken financial model by finally providing the independent voice it needs.” Grow in a fair and competitive environment. ”

In a statement, the Premier League said: “Together with our clubs, we have advocated for a proportional structure that allows us to build on our position as the most widely watched league in the world.

“Keeping in mind that the future growth of the Premier League is not guaranteed, we remain concerned about the unintended consequences of the legislation, which could reduce the competitiveness and attractiveness of English football.

“The Premier League remains committed to delivering world-leading funding to the wider game by distributing £1.6 billion across all levels of football over its current three-year term.”

Targeting clubs from the National League to the Premier League, owners and directors of new clubs will be subject to tougher tests to prevent the possibility of putting their clubs out of business, as was the case with Bury and Macclesfield. A licensing system has been proposed.

As part of the license, clubs will be required to consult fans on important off-field decisions, such as the club's traditions and the club's strategic direction.

Culture Secretary Lucy Fraser said: “There is no football without fans.'' “We are determined to put them back at the heart of the game and ensure the club continues to thrive as a vital asset to its local community.

“The new regulator will put the game on a sustainable footing and strengthen clubs and the entire football pyramid for generations to come.”

The bill also includes new backstop powers for the distribution of money between the Premier League and the EFL, ensuring the regulator reaches a settlement if the parties are unable to agree a “new contract”. Can be done.

The government has long warned football authorities that the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has such powers of intervention.

Former Sport Secretary Tracey Crouch, who chaired the fan-led review group, said: “Football fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the next steps have been taken to protect the long-term sustainability of the Pyramid. It may be starting.”

Kevin Miles, CEO of the Football Supporters Association, said: “The FSA is committed to bringing forward the Football Governance Bill that resulted from the 2021 Fan-Led Review, in particular the central focus of introducing statutory independent gaming regulation. We warmly welcome any suggestions.”

“For the sustainability of the game as a whole, regulators must be empowered to impose financial settlements. It’s important.”

But campaign group Fairgame said the bill appeared to be “missing the mark” “at first glance” and “provides no guarantee that regulators will have the power to intervene”.

December 2019: The Conservative Party promised a fan-led review in its 2019 general election manifesto following Mr Berry's death.

2020-21 season: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, games are being held behind closed doors, impacting revenue.

April 2021: Plans for a European Super League involving six Premier League clubs will collapse within days following widespread condemnation from other clubs, players, governing bodies, politicians and fans.

October 2021: Amnesty International is calling for changes to the Premier League's owner and director test “to address human rights concerns” following the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United.

November 2021: The independent regulator is among 10 recommendations made by a fan-led review chaired by former sports secretary Tracey Crouch on how to improve football's governance.

November 2022: Representatives from 29 clubs have written to the government urging it to bring forward plans for an independent football regulator.

November 2023: King Charles outlined his government's plans for the Football Governance Bill in his King's Speech.