Today, the government will lay out its proposals for reforming men’s football in England. As a result, they will fulfill their manifesto promise to supporters to ensure the national game’s long-term viability. The announcement comes just two days after it was announced that a comprehensive study of women’s football in the United Kingdom will be launched this summer.
The development of a robust, independent authority with statutory backing to ensure financial sustainability throughout the national game would be central to the objectives. To improve corporate governance and protect teams and their fans from unscrupulous owners, the owners and directors exam has been strengthened, including an ‘integrity test.’
With a white paper due out this summer, the government pledges to give fans a say in how their clubs are run. Tracey Crouch MP spearheaded a fan-driven assessment of football governance, which resulted in the plans. The government will support the ten major strategic recommendations outlined in Tracey Crouch MP’s fan-led review of football governance, which will improve financial sustainability and corporate governance throughout our national game while putting supporters at the center of decision-making.
As part of its remit to address the most pressing issues throughout the football pyramid, an independent regulator will be backed by primary legislation that will give it the statutory powers to license and sanction clubs. It comes as independent research commissioned by the government is set to be released today, highlighting the prevalent culture of clubs engaging in unsustainable financial practices and prioritizing achievement over smart financial management. This includes an overreliance on owner funding, which can leave clubs vulnerable if owners decide to stop putting money into the club.
A bigger role for supporters in the day-to-day administration of clubs: The government will now look into methods, such as the creation of a shadow board,’ to offer fans a bigger say in how their teams are governed, with more details to be announced in the summer. The Government will spell out proposals to ensure fans have a wider voice on changes to their club’s venues, logo, name, and uniform via a “golden share,” to protect clubs and the fundamental role they play as vital community assets. Greater action to improve equality and diversity in club boardrooms across the football pyramid: the government will specify how this will be addressed and how it will be tied to the regulator’s role.
