Government Is Not Budging On Plans To Set Up An Independent Football Regulator

The new Labour Government is preparing to face down opposition to its plans to introduce an independent football regulator.

A bill designed to significantly reform how football is governed was introduced by the previous Conservative government and enjoyed cross-party support before it was dropped by then prime minister Rishi Sunak in May ahead of the General Election.

Labour is taking the plans forward now the party is in power, but Government sources are braced for resistance from elements of the game who have voiced concerns about the proposals. It is one of 40 pieces of legislation included in the Government's King's Speech in July.

At the heart of the legislation is the granting of powers to a new independent regulator. This regulator would oversee the top five leagues of English football with the core aims of improving financial sustainability of football and protecting the heritage of clubs.

Last week, the Sunday Times reported that UEFA, Europe's most senior footballing body, had written to the Keir Starmer Government warning that plans for an independent regulator could amount undue government interference in football. 

Theodore Theodoridis, general secretary of UEFA, said in a leaked letter there are “specific rules” which “guard against” the state or politicians interfering in sport. “The ultimate sanction for which would be excluding the federation from UEFA and teams from competition,” the letter read.

PoliticsHome reported in April that ministers had been warned the plans could risk England’s participation in international competitions and the country's elite clubs from taking part in Europe's most prestigious club competition, the Champions League. Both FIFA and UEFA’s constitution prevent any country from direct