Fair Game delivers its verdict on Football Governance Bill
“Football stands at a critical juncture, there is a prevailing need to resist pressures to dilute the regulator's authority and to ensure it has the teeth to deliver.”
Niall Couper, CEO, Fair Game
FAIR GAME DELIVERS VERDICT ON HISTORIC FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE BILL ANNOUNCEMENT
FAIR GAME have delivered their verdict on the details of the Government’s Football Governance Bill, announced during the King’s Speech on 7 November 2023, marking a historic moment for the sport.
In a briefing document delivered to Lords, Fair Game, a growing coalition of clubs advocating for improved football governance, welcomed this initiative as a genuine opportunity to break the cycle of financial turmoil and mismanagement that has threatened the existence of numerous clubs within the National Game.
Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said:
“Football stands at a critical juncture, there is a prevailing need to resist pressures to dilute the regulator's authority and to ensure it has the teeth to deliver.
“Politicians need to be resolute in their resolve and maintain a steadfast focus on ushering in a fairer future for football and instigating the essential cultural change the sport requires.”
The key elements of the Football Governance Bill, as outlined by the Government, have been evaluated by Fair Game, with the following verdict on each step:
1. New Regulator with Proportionate Powers:
Fair Game Verdict: Long overdue and welcomed. A new independent regulator is crucial to addressing the well-documented financial challenges within football.
2. New Owners’ and Directors’ Test:
Fair Game Verdict: Universal acceptance; however, broader concerns such as ethics and criminality should be included in the regulator’s remit.
3. Protection of Club Heritage:
Fair Game Verdict: A welcome improvement; however, powers should reside with the IREF to ensure effective protection.
4. Addressing “The Wimbledon Clause”:
Fair Game Verdict: A positive step, but the clause should be strengthened to give fans the final say on crucial decisions.
5. No to a European Super League:
Fair Game Verdict: A commendable move aligned with Fair Game’s founding principle of protecting the Football Pyramid.
6. Fairer Financial Flow in Football:
Fair Game Verdict: The IREF should decide football’s financial flow, or the regulator should define acceptable parameters to ensure fair rewards for well-run clubs.
7. New Governance Code for Football:
Fair Game Verdict: Fully supported; clarity on the regulator’s enforcement powers is crucial.
8. Top Five Divisions Covered:
Fair Game Verdict: The regulator’s remit should extend at least one step further down to encompass clubs that have disappeared from the top five divisions.
As the Football Governance Bill is introduced in Parliament, Fair Game underscores the top three priorities that should be included in the Bill:
Introduce regulations regarding Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Environmental Sustainability.
Clarify the regulator’s powers of enforcement.
Provide adequate support to all licensed clubs to prevent any extra burden caused by the regulator’s requirements, either financially or staffing-wise.
The full briefing document can be viewed here.
