Government Seeks To Reassure Over Football Regulator's Potential "Mission Creep"

A number of stakeholders, MPs and legal experts have raised the alarm over potential “mission creep” in the football regulator, with many claiming additional rules could harm English football.

The Football Governance Bill was introduced in the House of Commons for its second reading on Tuesday. The Bill will introduce a new independent football regulator (IFR), which will aim to improve financial sustainability of the football pyramid and protect the heritage of clubs.

But there is concern the regulator has the potential to be given more responsibility once it is in place and be given more responsibility. The Premier League has looked to warn MPs that excessive regulation could hinder and hurt the Game.

At a parliamentary reception in the House of Lords on Tuesday the Premier League CEO Richard Masters, the general manager of the National League Mark Ives, and the managing director of Dagenham and Redbridge Stephen Thompson raised their concerns over the regulator’s impact.

A handful of peers and Labour and Tory MPs were in attendance and were served wine, beer, and small plates in the Attlee Room. Masters told the audience that few industries welcomed more regulation but added that the Premier League would respond positively to the new IFR.

But he warned against “mission creep” and said the Premier League would be more comfortable with “light touch, proportionate regulation”.

“Football is successful because it has had investment, investment from all over the world coming into this country and investing on the pitch for fans to really enjoy. We don't want that to be choked off, we want for that model to continue,” Masters said.

The Premier League has warned against the expansion of the so-called backstop powers which are in the