Government gives green light to independent regulator for English game

LONDON : A seismic shake-up of the governance of English soccer including the creation on an independent regulator for the elite game will move closer with the publication of a wide-ranging Government white paper on Thursday.

The long-awaited paper, which has received cross-party support, comes in response to 10 strategic recommendations from a Fan-Led Review of Football Governance chaired by former sports minister Tracey Crouch in 2021.

Once made law, the Government says the independent regulator would have statutory powers to license and sanction clubs, oversee the financial sustainability of the game and prevent unscrupulous owners buying clubs.

It would also have the power to prevent English clubs joining breakaway competitions such as the European Super League which six Premier League clubs signalled their intent to join in 2021 before abandoning plans after a fans' backlash.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the proposals would "safeguard the beautiful game for generations to come".

"Despite the success of the sport both at home and abroad, we know that there are real challenges which threaten the stability of clubs both big and small," he said in a statement from the Department for Culture Media and Sport on Wednesday.

"These bold new plans will put fans back at the heart of football and protect the rich heritage and traditions of our much-loved clubs."

The Premier League, which has argued against the need for an independent regulator, said the white paper was a "significant moment" for English football, while the Football Association welcomed the commitment to improve the 'financial sustainability and governance of professional clubs'.

LICENSING SYSTEM

Among the powers of the independent regulator would be to implement a