Independent regulator to oversee football in England

A football is rests on the pitch during the English Premier League soccer match between Burnley and Everton in Burnley August 23, 2009. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis

The British government confirmed on Monday that it would create an independent football regulator to ensure the financial sustainability of the game despite objections from the Premier League.

Ministers have given their formal support to 10 recommendations set out in a fan-led review that was published in November.

They also include greater consultation with supporters via shadow boards and fairer distribution of money from the top of the game downwards.

The government commissioned the review, led by former sports minister Tracey Crouch, a year ago following the European Super League scandal.

Ministers support the idea of a regulator for football in England backed by legislation to provide it with statutory powers to license and sanction clubs and have financial oversight of their operations.

Football finance experts Deloitte found that in 2018/19, before the Covid-19 pandemic, second-tier Championship clubs were spending 107 per cent of revenue on wages — way above UEFA’s new financial targets of 70 per cent.

The government backs the idea of the regulator operating enhanced owners’ and directors’ tests, to replace those operated by the Premier League, the English Football League and the Football Association, including a tougher new “integrity test” for owners.

It comes during the ongoing sale of Chelsea by Russian owner Roman Abramovich, who was targed by UK sanctions last month after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Rights group Amnesty has raised concerns over the ownership of the Stamford Bridge club and also criticised the purchase in October of Newcastle by a Saudi-backed