A self-governing regulatory agency for English football will soon be established following the government’s announcement to present a bill to parliament. The bill will allow authorities to impose fines up to 10% of a club’s revenues if they violate agreed conditions.

The highly anticipated bill for governing football will be released on Tuesday and will lay out the authority of the regulator based on three main goals: “to enhance the financial stability of clubs, establish fiscal resilience throughout the leagues, and protect the history of English football.”

The contents of the legislation, upon release, will be thoroughly examined by lawmakers, soccer officials, and supporters, as this marks the realization of a cause that fan groups have been advocating for over a long period of time.

The bill, which has been in development for several months, was finally announced on Monday amidst mounting pressure for the government to fulfill its pledge of establishing a regulator. Chancellor Rishi Sunak heralded the bill as a significant milestone for supporters.

Some clubs have faced mistreatment from dishonest owners who have been able to get away with mismanaging their finances. In extreme cases, this has led to the tragic collapse of clubs like Bury and Macclesfield Town. The prime minister noted the significance of this bill, as it will prioritize the input of fans and prevent the creation of a separate league. It also aims to secure the financial stability of clubs and preserve the unique histories of both large and small clubs.

There has been much discussion and advocacy within the sport regarding the governing body, following the release of the fan-led review on football governance by MP Tracey Crouch. The Premier League has consistently argued for self-regulation in English football, but the recent decision of 10 teams to withdraw from a financial redistribution agreement with the English Football League may have spurred the government to quickly introduce legislation to parliament.

On Monday evening, the Premier League expressed their unease about potential impacts of any laws that may compromise the competitiveness and allure of English football.

The regulator’s main role will be to issue operating licenses for clubs, ranging from the Premier League to non-league, based on their compliance with required standards related to fan involvement, corporate management, and financial reporting. Additionally, specific standards regarding financial and non-financial resources, such as a club’s organization and personnel, may be included in the license terms.

The governing body will be responsible for enforcing fair financial distribution among different levels of the sport, using its “backstop” capabilities. Officials from the government assure that the governing body will not be too controlling, instead using an approach centered on advocating for solutions to noncompliance. Their authority will not extend to on-field decisions.

According to Crouch, who is a member of the Conservative Party and has previously served as a sports minister, fans of football can now feel reassured that measures are being put in place to ensure the pyramid’s future sustainability.

Research from the Black Footballers Partnership highlighted discrepancies faced by black former players hoping to enter management, shining a light on a structural issue plaguing the game.

A study carried out by three scholars for the BFP examined a group of 3,500 players who participated in the Premier League or Championship from 1990 to 2010. The findings showed that non-black players had a 50% higher chance of becoming managers, regardless of their own playing history. Additionally, black managers were 41% more likely to be fired compared to white managers, and black coaches had a lower chance of being promoted.

Source: theguardian.com