07 November 2023 , 14:12
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The chair of a key parliamentary committee has warned that English football authorities are "firmly in added time" to strike a new deal on financial distribution.
The Football Governance Bill, which aims to create an independent regulator for the top five tiers of the English game, was included in the King's Speech, indicating the Government's intention for it to become law.
This regulator will operate a licensing system for professional clubs, with its main goal being to ensure clubs are financially sustainable and accountable to their fans. It could also have 'last resort' powers to decide how the Premier League distributes TV revenue to the EFL and the rest of the pyramid, if the game's authorities can't agree.
Talks about the so-called 'New Deal', which includes cost controls and changes to the domestic football calendar, are believed to be nearing their end. Top-flight clubs might be asked to approve the deal at their next shareholders' meeting in London on November 21.
Dame Caroline Dinenage, the chair of the Culture, Media and Sport committee, has urged the Government to set up a shadow regulator before the end of the year. She warned: "Today's announcement should be a clear indication to the footballing authorities negotiating a revenue sharing agreement that they are firmly in added time."
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"If they can't strike a deal to protect clubs throughout the pyramid soon, the new independent regulator should be in place and ready to step in to impose one upon them."
Fair Game, a group campaigning for greater regulation to make English football more sustainable, has told lawmakers to stay "laser focused" on ensuring the Bill is not watered down.
Richard Masters, the Premier League's chief executive, says his organisation is open to the idea of a regulator but has warned of "unintended consequences" if its remit is too wide-ranging. He claims it could risk damaging the league's growth and by extension the health of the leagues beneath it. The league has been actively talking with the Government about how the regulator can fit into football's existing regulatory framework, and will continue to do so.
“There will be intense pressure to weaken the regulator’s remit at a time when proper protection and scrutiny of our national game is needed more than ever,” said Fair Game's chief executive Niall Couper.
“Those tasked with setting up the regulator must resist that pressure and remain laser-focused to deliver a fairer future for football and the culture change the sport desperately needs.
“Reckless spending, disconnect between clubs and their communities, and lip service to equality standards must be consigned to the rubbish bin of history. This transformation can only be achieved if the regulator has the teeth and resources to deliver.”
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