English Football Governance Bill to be Introduced to Parliament
An independent football regulator (IFR) for the English game is a step closer to becoming a reality, with the Football Governance Bill set to be introduced to parliament on Thursday in the House of Lords.
Aimed at addressing the significant issues facing the financial sustainability of the elite game in England, the Bill will “deliver on the Government’s manifesto commitments, and empower fans and keep clubs at the heart of communities,” the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) said in a statement on Wednesday.
The regulator will have the power to tackle rogue owners and directors, implement a club licensing regime to ensure a consistent approach in the running of clubs, monitor club finances, and improve fan engagement throughout the football pyramid.
“Football is too important in this country to be left solely in the hands of individual owners to design its future,” said former Manchester United player and co-owner of Salford City FC, Gary Neville. “We’ve seen inequality across the game grow, but now independent regulation can act as a catalyst to create a thriving and sustainable game for future generations.”
The previous government had announced plans to appoint a regulator last year, citing the necessity to protect clubs from financial mismanagement and to prevent wealthy teams from joining breakaway leagues. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government reaffirmed its commitment to the regulator after being elected in July.
The introduction of what the government has called a strengthened Bill comes at a crucial time for English football, following the attempted breakaway of the European Super League and the financial mismanagement of numerous clubs.
“In recent years, we’ve seen the devastating impact of the collapse of clubs like Bury and Macclesfield,” the DCMS statement noted. “These cases arose from fundamental governance problems in the game that have led to excessive and reckless risk-taking, with many clubs living beyond their means.”
The Premier League expressed concerns that banking-style regulation could negatively impact English football if “unprecedented and untested” powers were granted to the regulator.
“In collaboration with our clubs, we will continue to work with Government and Parliamentarians to consider appropriate checks and balances in the legislation to protect the hard-won position of English football, which is globally admired and a vital source of soft power and economic growth across the country,” the league stated.
The introduction of the Bill marks the first stage in the legislative process, which will see it debated by both the House of Lords and the House of Commons before becoming law.
