The government has announced plans to introduce a bill in parliament that will establish a new regulatory body for English football. This body would have the power to fine clubs up to 10% of their revenue if they violate agreed conditions.
The highly anticipated bill concerning football governance will be released on Tuesday. It will outline the authority of the regulating body based on three main goals: “enhancing the financial stability of clubs, promoting financial strength throughout all leagues, and protecting the history of English football.”
After the bill is released, it will be carefully examined by politicians, football officials, and fans as a long-awaited day for supporter groups is finally realized.
The bill has been in development for several months, as the government faced pressure to fulfill its commitment of establishing a regulator, as recently as last week. On Monday, Rishi Sunak formally announced the bill, calling it a significant moment for supporters.
“In recent times, certain clubs have been mistreated by dishonest proprietors who escape consequences for mishandling finances, which can ultimately result in utter failure – as we witnessed with the unfortunate incidents of Bury and Macclesfield Town,” stated the head of government. “This legislation marks a significant milestone for football supporters – it will prioritize their opinions, deter any attempts at forming a separate league, safeguard the financial stability of clubs, and preserve the legacy of all clubs regardless of size.”
The governing body has sparked discussions and attempts at influencing decisions within the sport ever since the government released a review of football governance, headed by Tracey Crouch MP. The Premier League has consistently argued that it has the capability to regulate English football on its own. However, the recent action of 10 teams withdrawing from a financial agreement with the English Football League is believed to have prodded the government to expedite the enactment of legislation in parliament.
On Monday evening, the Premier League expressed their ongoing worry about the potential negative effects of laws that may compromise the competitiveness and appeal of English football.
The regulator’s main role will be to issue operating licenses for all levels of clubs, from the Premier League to non-league. These licenses will be granted based on meeting required criteria for fan involvement, corporate management, and financial reporting. In addition, specific criteria pertaining to a club’s financial and non-financial resources, such as team structure and personnel, may be added to the license terms.
The entity in charge will be able to guarantee that financial redistribution is reached among the various tiers of the game, using its backstop powers. Sources from the government emphasize that the entity will not be excessively involved, and will instead prioritize advocacy in resolving any instances of noncompliance. It will not have any influence on decisions made on the field.
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Crouch, the Conservative MP for Chatham and Aylesford and a former sports minister, said: “Football fans can begin to breathe a sigh of relief in the knowledge that the next steps towards protecting the long-term sustainability of the pyramid have now been taken.”
Research conducted by the Black Footballers Partnership revealed a structural issue within the game that affects black former players attempting to enter management roles.
Research carried out on behalf of the BFP by three scholars analyzed a group of 3,500 footballers who participated in the Premier League or Championship from 1990 to 2010. The results showed that non-black players had a 50% higher chance of becoming managers, regardless of their playing history. It was also discovered that black managers were 41% more likely to be fired compared to white managers, and black coaches had a lower chance of being promoted.
Source: theguardian.com
