Norwich fan says Govt. must 'hold its nerve' and introduce independent football regulator
The Prime Minister says he's "sure" ministers can"find a way through" after UEFA voiced concerns
The head of a Norwich fan group says the Government must 'hold its nerve' and introduce an independent regulator into English football, to tackle the problems facing the modern game.
The sport's European governing body, UEFA, says the move could amount to Government interference in the sport and has threatened to boot England out of Euro 2028, if it's implemented.
"A way towards a fair distribution of wealth within the game"
Rob Sainty is from the 'Canaries Trust': "There are too many vested interests and too much money involved in the sport now.
"It really is the only way forwards, because if not we're going see wealth inequality between clubs grow and more clubs going out of business- with the consequences that brings for the local communities.
"The Premier League and The English Football League are often at loggerheads over agreements and an independent regulator clearly isn't going to take sides on this. I think it's definitely a way towards a fair distribution of wealth within the game.
"We're closer to getting an independent regulator in the sport than we ever have been and some people are getting concerned, because it could affect their interests."
"I'm sure we'll find a way through this"
The Prime Minister said he was "sure" ministers could "find a way through" in talks with the governing body after it voiced concerns that the proposals could threaten the autonomy of sport.
Asked whether he would change Government plans for a football regulator in response to UEFA's concerns, Starmer told reporters travelling with him to Rome: "I don't think there's any problem with the rules, because this is a truly independent regulator.
"But as you'd expect, we're talking to UEFA, and I'm sure we'll find a way through this, but I'm confident that our rules are perfectly consistent, and that the regulator is truly independent.
"But of course we're talking to UEFA to make sure that we can ensure that everything is possible."
Asked if he was seeking to persuade UEFA that the Government's plans did not amount to a breach of the rules, Starmer said: "I mean, I don't think it does, I don't think it's a problem.
"But of course, we'll talk to them if they've got concerns. I think they've slightly reduced their concerns as time has gone on, but obviously I'll discuss their concerns."
The wider details:
The Football Governance Bill was first introduced under the previous Conservative administration and adopted by Labour after the election.
It includes measures to establish an independent regulator to address the financial resilience of clubs and prevent breakaway leagues.
Theodoridis has written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, in a letter reported by The Times, saying there should be "no government interference in the running of football" and that an independent regulator could lead to England's exclusion from UEFA.
It is understood the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will respond to the letter shortly and that there have been no previous concerns raised by UEFA, which has been engaging alongside the Football Association with the new Government over the development of the Bill.
UEFA sources have indicated that it is not opposed to a regulator per se, and the letter even referenced the "collaborative dialogue" with the DCMS. However, Theodoridis did express concerns about the risk of "scope creep".
Theodoridis said the regulator's remit should be "strictly limited" to the long-term financial sustainability of clubs.
UEFA sought clarification around one clause in the Football Governance Bill as presented under the previous Government which obliged the regulator to consider the Government's trade policy objectives when assessing the suitability of an owner or potential buyer of a club.
The letter also highlighted concerns around the plan to give the regulator backstop powers to impose a financial settlement between the Premier League and the EFL if they cannot agree one themselves.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who is a high-profile supporter of independent regulation, described reporting around the letter as "scaremongering".
The Football Governance Bill was included in the King's Speech in July, making it part of the new Labour Government's legislative agenda for the current parliamentary session.