Peterborough United fan group sceptical over new football regulator

Plans for a new Bill have been laid out by the new Government

Peterborough United fans
Author: Dan MasonPublished 20th Jul 2024

With less than three weeks until the new English Football League season kicks off, fans in Cambridgeshire are hoping a new independent regulator will give more thought for supporters.

It comes as Labour set out its version of the Football Governance Bill this week, after it failed to pass through parliament before the general election.

The Bill would see the introduction of an independent football regulator, which the new Government said "will protect football clubs across England, ensuring their financial sustainability and giving fans a greater say in the way their clubs are run."

Adi Mowles is from Peterborough United fan group PISA 2000:

"I'm cynical when it comes to how much the EFL clubs will be looked after in this Bill; I think they (the Government) will look at the Premier League issues first but maybe nothing will actually happen," he said.

"I don't think it will help or affect any future of clubs like Posh, but maybe make things better for those who travel in particular.

"It is about ticket prices to a large degree, but at a higher level, it's trying to stop crazy things like fixtures in New York for Premier League clubs; things like that shouldn't be happening.

"I think possibly if we go to the club and suggest ticket prices, they're quite amenable to discuss; if there's a Bill flying around, I think we know how muddied the waters can be and it might not be quite so easy to talk to our club."

What else does the Bill say?

The new Government say an independent regulator would aim to ensure that "individual clubs are financially sound, the overall English football system is more financially resilient and safeguarding the heritage of individual clubs."

It said clubs will need to demonstrate financial practices and "appropriate financial resources to enable the club to meet cash flows".

The Bill would also give the regulator "the backstop power" to help promote what it says "a fair financial flow" between Premier League and EFL clubs.

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