Fair Game rallies football community to attend Parliament as Football Governance Bill goes into extra time

Niall Couper, CEO Fair Game, said:

“Fair Game and all of the other organisations are coming to Parliament to ensure that Peers hear our voices and are fully aware of the importance of an independent football regulator.”

FOOTBALL organisations will pack the House of Lords this Wednesday (15 January) in a show of strength on the final day of debate in the chamber on the Football Governance Bill.

Driven by football campaign group Fair Game, more than 12 organisations plus former professional players John Scales and Dave Kitson, will attend Parliament as the key issues of financial distribution and a ‘sunset clause’ are debated by Peers.

In what is a crucial day for the Bill, the organisations attending are keen to press home the need for a strong independent regulator for the game.

Those attending Parliament include Women in Football, Level Playing Field, Football for Future, and Fair Square. Also present will be representatives of AFC Wimbledon and Ebbsfleet United plus members of supporters’ trusts from Luton Town, Bolton Wanderers and Southend United.

Lawyer Will Reddie of HFW, who led the legal team advising several of the organisations, will also be in attendance. 

Fair Game, which will have a number of key officials attending, will host an event in Parliament and will be meeting MPs and Peers to press home its key messages prior to the debate in the Chamber.

It will be stressing the need for financial regulations that will close the widening gaps across the game, while also looking to convince Peers to shut down the ‘sunset clause’ as it fears this will undermine the regulator from the very start.

The Bill, which was reintroduced by Labour following the 2024 general election, has seen its progress hindered by rogue Conservative Peers, with accusations of ‘filibustering’.

Fair Game CEO Niall Couper, who will be at the Lords on Wednesday, believes that the large presence from various sectors of the football community is essential to getting the desired outcome for the Bill. He said:

“This is a really crucial day for the Football Governance Bill and those who want to see a fairer future for football.

“Fair Game and all of the other organisations are coming to Parliament to ensure that Peers hear our voices and are fully aware of the importance of an independent football regulator.

“We particularly want to get across the message that any deal agreed for the distribution of football finances must meet financial parameters set by the independent regulator. This should include closing the gaps and rewarding well-run clubs. If a deal is not forthcoming then the regulator should have the power to impose a deal of its own.

“We will also lobby against the amendment calling for the inclusion of a ‘sunset clause’. The clause put forward by Conservative peers could put a time limit on the regulator and would undermine its authority before it had even started.

“The Football Governance Bill is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get things right for our national game. It is important that this is seized upon and not wasted.”

Fair Game, which represents 34 men’s professional clubs across the football pyramid, analysed the Bill following its publication and identified 19 amendments it considers are needed to ensure that the legislation is robust and that the Independent Regulator has the powers it needs.