The Labour government is poised to advance with the establishment of a regulatory body for English football, with a new bill expected to be presented to parliament within the next month. Ministers are resuming talks with key stakeholders in the sport this week, with the aim of expediting the legislative process, sources informed the Guardian.
The Conservative government had initiated the process of drafting a bill, but it was halted due to the general election in the summer. It is understood that the Labour party will now introduce its own bill, which may first be presented in the House of Lords. Although certain details will differ, and there is a wide range of opinions on critical issues such as the regulator's powers to enforce financial distribution across the football pyramid, the overall scope of the regulator's mandate is expected to remain unchanged.
In its election manifesto, Labour outlined its approach to football governance, stating, "We will reform football governance to protect clubs across our communities and give fans a greater say in how they are run." The party further noted, "We will introduce a Football Governance Bill, establishing an independent regulator to ensure the financial sustainability of football clubs in England. We will not allow a closed league of elite clubs to be detached from the English football pyramid."
The bill was announced in the king's speech and was anticipated to be enacted during this parliament. However, the government's intention to act swiftly suggests that it has finalized its proposals. The ongoing lobbying over the bill's contents has been a persistent feature, with the Premier League strongly opposing many aspects of the regulator, cautioning against an expansion of its responsibilities and warning of potential unintended consequences that could undermine the success of the English top flight.
The English Football League has consistently supported regulation, highlighting the financial risks faced by many of its clubs. This view is shared by the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, the MP for Wigan, who stated, "It was a central part of our manifesto and it will be an essential part of my job to deliver on that and to do so without delay."
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been approached for comment.
