Fair Game wants ‘a firm timetable’ to implement fan-led review recommendations

A reform group has warned “there can be no more delay or dithering” on implementing football’s fan-led review.

The Government will formally respond to the review later on Monday but has already indicated it endorses the review’s strategic recommendations.

These include the creation of an independent regulator, greater consultation with fans via shadow boards, additional protections for key items of club heritage and fairer distribution of money from the top of the game down the football pyramid.

But there is uncertainty over when any meaningful change may come, with no timetable in place to get the legislation needed to underpin the regulator.

Niall Couper, the chief executive of Fair Game, a group which campaigns for the reform of the English game, said: “The announcement at last offers a real opportunity to save football.

“The argument for an independent regulator is now over. There is huge cross-party political support for it and the ideas put forward by Fair Game and the fan-led review.

“What we need now is a firm timetable for change. There can be no more delay or dithering.

For too long the challenges in our national game have been booted down the road by the football authorities and successive governments putting our clubs on the edge of ruin.- Niall Couper, Fair Game

“If reform is allowed to be kicked into the long grass, it will represent the death knell to the hard-working clubs at the centre of our towns and communities.

“The financial situation at most clubs is perilous. For too long the challenges in our national game have been booted down the road by the football authorities and successive governments putting our clubs on the edge of ruin.

“Let’s end the culture of gambling that has seen clubs spend more