Ditching plans to introduce an independent regulator would betray supporters and hard-working clubs across England and Wales

“To backtrack now betrays towns and communities up and down the country. The regulator is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save the game we love”

Niall Couper, CEO, Fair Game

RESPONDING to rumours that the Government is planning to pause any introduction of an independent regulator into the governance of football, Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said: "To backtrack now betrays towns and communities up and down the country. The regulator is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save the game we love.

"Hard-working football clubs, supporters and politicians from all sides have worked so hard together to get to this point.

"The former Conservative Sports Minister Tracey Crouch conducted a thorough review into football governance and the official Government response to it earlier this year reached the same conclusion. Football is broken and it needs an independent regulator.

"Clubs are hearing the Siren Call of the Premier League. And some are now spending over 200% of their revenue on players’ wages. They are gambling with the history and traditions of our clubs. The consequences have been catastrophic...

"Since the turn of the century over a third of our top clubs have gone into administration and in the last couple of years, we’ve seen the demise of Bury and Macclesfield.

"In 2020 – that’s BEFORE the pandemic – that 52% of our top clubs were technically insolvent.

"Since then the pandemic has put clubs on the brink and the cost-of-living crisis could be the end of the road for many.

"We also have an owners and directors test that is not fit for purpose.

"Football needs to change.

"The Banking sector, the Food Industry, even schools have government-run regulators. All designed to ensure the public and the wider community have safeguards and get a fair deal. At the moment apples are more protected than our National Game."