Banning clubs from joining the European Super League will be among the powers available to English football’s new independent regulator.
Plans for a regulator, which were recommended last year under the leadership of fans, have been confirmed by the UK government.
Preventing historic clubs from going out of business is a goal, as well as giving fans greater input and testing new owners and directors.
This important initiative aims to preserve the cultural heritage of English football.
The main objectives of the proposed new regulator will be to:
- Stopping English clubs from joining closed-shop competitions, which are judged to harm the domestic game
- Preventing a repeat of financial failings seen at numerous clubs, notably the collapses of Bury and Macclesfield
- Introducing a more stringent owners’ and directors’ test to protect clubs and fans
- Giving fans power to stop owners changing a club’s name, badge and traditional kit colours
- Ensuring a fair distribution of money filters down the English football pyramid from the Premier League
“The English game is one of the UK’s greatest cultural exports, with clubs and leagues around the world modeling themselves on its success,” the government said ahead of its white paper on football governance. Thursday.
“That is why the government is taking necessary and targeted steps today to ensure that this continues for generations to come.”
The Premier League was understood to be wary of a regulatory body when the proposals were announced in April last year.
The league says it is “important” a regulator does not cause any “unintended consequences” that could affect its global appeal and success.
What will the regulator cover?
European separate leagues
Six English clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham – were among a dozen across the continent to announce plans to form a European Super League in a surprise move in April 2021.
It caused an uproar in English and European football for a few days.
Fans quickly showed their anger at the plan outside English clubs’ stadiums – as did protests across Europe – forcing Premier League clubs to backtrack and apologise.
Despite the U-turn, the future of top-level European football continues to be debated.
“The regulator will have the power to prevent English clubs from entering new competitions that do not meet pre-defined criteria, in consultation with the FA and fans,” the government said.
“This standard could include measures to prevent clubs from participating in closed-shop breakaway competitions that harm the domestic game, such as the European Super League.”
Financial stability and fan input
The new licensing system will require every club – from the Premier League to the National League – to prove it has a sustainable business model as part of the application process enforced by responsible defenders. has been done
If clubs are not licensed by the regulator, they will not be allowed to compete.
Another key strength of the regulator would be to ensure that fans have a greater say in the strategic decisions of their clubs.
Actions by owners that could prove controversial – for example, changing the name, badge and colors of the traditional kit, or moving the stadium – would not be allowed before fans are consulted.
The government says it will “put fans back at the heart of how football is played”.
Test of new owners and directors
The test to determine the qualifications of owners and directors of English clubs has long been under investigation.
The regulator will introduce an “enhanced” test that will replace the current process implemented by the Premier League, Football League and Football Association.
According to the government, this will lead to “the need to ensure good patronage of clubs, strong due diligence on sources of wealth and sound financial planning”.
The suitability of testing Premier League owners and directors has been criticized in the past, most recently following the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle.
Amnesty International urged the league to change the test to address human rights issues, accusing the Saudi state of human rights abuses.
A bid for Manchester United by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, chairman of one of Qatar’s largest banks, has also raised concerns among human rights and LGBTQ+ groups.
Fair distribution of wealth
The regulator will have backstop powers to impose a new financial settlement, which effectively means it can force the Premier League to share more money in the pyramid.
EFL chairman Rick Perry wants a 25% share of broadcast revenue collected with the Premier League, merit-based payments across all four divisions, and an end to ‘parachute payments’ to teams relegated from the top flight.
But the EFL has told its clubs it is “not hopeful” of securing the settlement it is seeking.
While negotiations between the institutions continue, the new regulator will force arbitration if no agreement is reached.
“The Premier League remains the envy of club competitions around the world and the Government is fully behind its continued success,” the government said.
“But to secure the financial stability of clubs at all levels, a solution is needed, led by the leagues and their club operators, and this is the Government’s preferred outcome.
“However, if the football authorities cannot reach an agreement the regulator will have targeted powers of last resort to intervene and facilitate an agreement when necessary.”
