Explainer-Proposed independent regulator for English football

LONDON : English professional soccer is set for its most radical overhaul since the rules were invented more than a century ago, the Government said on Thursday as it announced its plan to create an independent regulatory body.

Its wide-ranging white paper 'A sustainable future - reforming club football governance', published on Thursday details the powers that the regulator, once made law, will have.

Its primary duties would be: club sustainability, systemic stability and cultural heritage.

Here is what it will do.

THE CASE FOR AN INDEPENDENT REGULATOR?

The Government says an independent regulator, one of the recommendations of a fan-led review, is required because of the 'underlying fragility' of the English soccer pyramid.

While the Premier League is held up as the benchmark for successful soccer leagues, the landscape below that is littered with tales of clubs getting into financial turmoil and being bought by unscrupulous owners.

The Government says it needed to act to protect historic clubs and, according to Sports Minister Stuart Andrew 'ensure that fans have a greater voice' in the running of their clubs.

A STRINGENT LICENCE SYSTEM

The regulator will operate a licence system with all clubs in the top five tiers requiring a licence to compete. A licence would be issued only if a range of conditions are met, including a sustainable business model, suitable ownership, fan interests being met and agreeing to compete only in competitions approved by the Regulator.

FIT AND PROPER OWNERS

The fan-led review highlighted historic clubs ending up in financial distress after being bought by unsuitable owners, sometimes with histories of bankruptcy or criminal convictions.

A new owners' and directors' test would be implemented with