Premier League officials have urged the Government to ensure that regulation doesn’t cause ‘significant’ damage to English Football.
Top-flight bosses has described the official publication of a Fan Led Review White Paper as ‘a significant moment for English football’, just hours after the EFL described it as a ‘landmark moment’ for the sport.
Under the White Paper, there are plans to legislatively begin the process of appointing a football regulator, alongside impose various recommendations like a ban on English clubs joining breakaway leagues and giving fans more say in the running of their clubs.
Premier League officials and clubs though have iterated that they will take their time to consider the ‘plan for England to become the first major nation to make football a government-regulated industry’, considering that English Football is already ‘a global success.’
Officials also acknowledged the ‘fundamental’ importance in ‘passionate support’ of fans to the top-flight and individual clubs across the footballing pyramid, as evident by local impact of clubs within their communities.
It however was recognised that there is a need ‘for change in football governance’ with ‘stronger and more independent regulation.’
Premier League bosses though iterated that they’re ‘strengthening’ their ownership rules in light of the UK Government’s own plans for toughter ownership tests, plus are currently ‘providing £1.6billion in financial support to the wider game in this current three-year cycle.’
Nevertheless, the Premier League is appreciative of ‘the Government’s commitment to protect the Premier League’s continued success.’
As for the possibility of an independent football regulator, Premier League bosses fired the following warning to the UK Government, as they said: ‘It is vital that regulation does not damage the game fans love to watch in the deepest professional pyramid in the world, or its ability to attract investment and grow interest in our game.’
In the mean time, Premier League officials and clubs have vowed to work ‘constructively with stakeholders’ to ensure that the proposed regulator doesn’t lead to ‘unintended consequences’ which could jeopardise the top-flight’s reputation, ‘competitiveness or put the unrivalled levels of funding we provide at risk.’
There will also be collaboration with the Government and Parliamentarians on further phases of the White Paper.
Premier League officials concluded their statement with a message for fans, as they said: ‘We are committed to delivering a football-led solution to address key issues in the game – including financial distributions, financial controls and the football calendar – together with The FA and the EFL.’
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