New Football Law “Could Risk World Cup and Champions League Participation”

Exclusive: The Government has been warned the Football Governance Bill could risk England’s participation in the World Cup and the country's elite clubs from taking part in the Champions League.

The Bill aims to give powers to a new independent body which will manage and discipline the top five leagues of English football.  

The Football Regulator's focus will be to reform financial flow and ensure money is distributed across England's clubs.

A senior source with knowledge of discussions between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and FIFA has told PoliticsHome concerns have been raised with the department by the football industry that the regulator will not be seen as independent from Government control.

They claimed this could jeopardise the national team's right to play in the World Cup, and for elite clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal from competiting in the Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League. 

Fifa, the world football governing body who organise the world cup, and Uefa, which governs football in Europe, have rules in their constitution which prohibit the state being involved in its domestic leagues. 

Both Fifa and Uefa threatened the Greek Government in 2015 from competiting in its competitions after it tried to pass laws on violence which would affect its domestic leagues.

Another industry source said that the plan had a "strong degree of government involvement" despite the Government and ministers claiming it was independent. 

However, PoliticsHome understands that neither Uefa or Fifa has raised concerns so far about the independence of the regulator during recent talks.

The Government has the ability to appoint the chair of the regulator, and has