Football is set for a major shake up with the announcement of a new independent football regulator.
The role, announced on the 23rd of February by the U.K government, is set to have major ramifications for the future of the game in England.
Originating from the fall-out of the failed Super League launch in 2021, the role is intended to revamp the way the game is governed at the very top level.
“The English game remains one of the UK’s greatest cultural exports, with clubs and leagues around the world modelling themselves on its success”, said a government spokesperson.
“The English game remains one of the UK’s greatest cultural exports, with clubs and leagues around the world modelling themselves on its success”, said a government spokesperson.
“That is why the government is today taking the necessary and targeted steps to ensure that continues for generations”.
Intended as an independent body, the regulators powers will include the ability to block English clubs from joining closed-shop competitions such as the previously mentioned European Super League.
The regulator can also introduce a more stringent owners and directors test in order to help prevent the financial mismanagements of clubs such as Bury FC, who were expelled from the Football League in 2019 over unpaid debts.
The current owners test has been widely criticised for failing to prevent similar scenario’s like Bury, whilst also failing to prevent foreign-backed companies from purchasing football clubs as a form of sportswashing.
Several clubs in the Premier League, such as Manchester City and Newcastle United, are currently owned by groups backed by the Saudi Arabian government. Whilst talks are currently ongoing between the current owners of Manchester United and the Qatar Islamic Bank.
However, there are doubts that the new test will be able to curb the influence of foreign governments in the game, as there are currently no checks included in the test regarding to a potential owner’s human rights records.
“The state side of things is obviously a matter for the foreign office, we’re not talking about foreign policy here” said the sports minister Stuart Andrew.
“As far as we’re concerned, the really important thing is that those individuals are [tested] in the way that other individuals will be by other regulators, in the financial world for example”.
A new licensing system will also be introduced which will see clubs from across the top five divisions in England being required to prove that they have a sustainable financial model, before they are allowed to compete in their respected leagues.
A new licensing system will also be introduced which will see clubs from across the top five divisions in England being required to prove that they have a sustainable financial
The proposed regulator plans are also aimed at improving the power of fan’s voices.
The introduction of an independent football regulator was one of the recommendations included in the fan-led review launched by the MP Tracey Crouch in the aftermath of the failed Super League launch.
Back in 2021, six English clubs attempted to join six other teams from across Europe as part of a new closed-off league system that was intended to replace the UEFA Champions League as the new main continental competition. However the move saw widespread fan protests outside of grounds across the country.
As part of the new plans, owners will now be required to consult fan groups before changing any cultural aspects of the club such as their name, badge or traditional kit colours.
“we warmly welcome the historic commitment from the Government to introduce an independent regulator of English football”, said Kevin Miles Chief Executive of the Football Supporters Association.
The regulator will also have the power impose financial settlements with the aim of redistributing wealth across the footballing pyramid.
Discussions are currently ongoing between the Premier League and the EFL, with the latter wanting a 25% share of the current broadcasting revenue generated by the Premier League. But if these negotiations were to collapse, then the regulator would have the power to force a deal through.