The Government has introduced historic legislation to create a new Independent Football Regulator. This comes as part of the promise to put fans back at the heart of football, and protect our national game for generations to come.
This comes at a critical juncture for English football, following the attempted breakaway European Super League, and a series of high profile cases of clubs being financially mismanaged or collapsing entirely.
The legislation being introduced goes further than the Government’s manifesto commitment, establishing the new ‘Independent Football Regulator’ (IFR) as a standalone body - independent of both Government and the football authorities.
The body will be equipped with robust powers revolving around three core objectives: to improve financial sustainability of clubs, ensure financial resilience across the leagues, and to safeguard the heritage of English football.
Under the Football Governance Bill, new owners and directors will face stronger tests to stop clubs falling into the wrong hands, and face the possibility of being removed and struck off from owning football clubs if they are found to be unsuitable.
The Bill also includes new backstop powers around financial distributions between the Premier League, the English Football League (EFL) and National League. These powers mean that if the leagues fail to agree on a new deal on financial distributions, then the backstop can be triggered to ensure a settlement is reached.
This follows a number of issues in recent years including financial mismanagement, breakaway plans for the European Super League, and changes to club names, badges and colours against the wishes of fans.
That is why the Government are enshrining an ‘Independent Football Regulator’ in law, giving fans a voice in how their clubs are run and ensuring teams across the leagues are financially sustainable.
Commenting, Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, said:
This is about protecting club heritage, which has a reach well beyond the football pitch. Football clubs are intrinsic to the history and fabric of so many towns and communities. For many, it’s a core part of the identity of their local area.
As the former Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Safe Standing in Football, this is something I really care about.
I’m very pleased that the Government are pushing ahead with these new laws.
