New dawn for football, but without power to intervene the regulator will be toothless, says Fair Game

“Financial stability has to be the key priority to support the pyramid and this is the overriding purpose of having an Independent Regulator.

The regulator must have the power to step in and ensure any financial deal between the Premier League and the EFL delivers for the entire football pyramid. Football needs a fair financial flow.

Without the power to intervene, it will be toothless from the start.”

Mike Baker, Fair Game Director of Advocacy

18 Mar. 2024, LONDON, UK - Fair Game tonight responded to the long-awaited news that a Football Governance Bill will be tabled by the Government tomorrow morning. While the news is welcomed, the devil will be in the detail and some concerns have already been raised around how much power the incoming regulator will have over football’s financial flow. 

Fair Game’s director of advocacy Mike Baker explained:

“This is a significant moment for football with the Government publishing its Bill for an Independent Regulator for English Football.

“This should be a turning point to address all of football’s issues, however, at first glance it looks like it has missed the target.

“The main objective of the Independent Regulator is to ensure the financial sustainability of the pyramid.

"The Government themselves have consistently agreed that the current distribution is unfair - a point only emphasised with the current troubles at Torquay and Rochdale.

“Financial stability has to be the key priority to support the pyramid and this is the overriding purpose of having an Independent Regulator.

“The regulator must have the power to step in and ensure any financial deal between the Premier League and the EFL delivers for the entire football pyramid. Football needs a fair financial flow.

“Without the power to intervene, it will be toothless from the start.”

Baker added:

“We will now be scrutinising the full details in the Bill to ensure that it delivers. 

"In the last couple of weeks, we have met ministers, and repeatedly we have failed to get assurances that the regulator will have the power to intervene. 

“The regulator needs teeth, including bringing a fair financial flow that rewards well-run clubs; a fit for purpose Owners’ and Directors’ Test that actually delivers, and to make sure the European Super League doesn’t rear its ugly head again.

“Fair Game has robustly campaigned for an Independent Regulator and we will continue to do so as communities are losing their beloved football clubs as owners gamble on hitting the big time.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to throw a lifeline to struggling clubs, their employees, communities, and fans across the country. For the sake of the entire football pyramid and clubs like Bury and Macclesfield; Luton and AFC Wimbledon; Reading and Sheffield Wednesday – and many more, politicians must ensure that this opportunity does not go to waste.”