Football Governance Bill [Lords] 2025-04-28

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Congratulates the Secretary of State on bringing forward this Bill, highlighting its importance in strengthening previous government’s efforts to ensure financial sustainability. Also praises Queens Park Rangers for their community work.

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Asks the Secretary of State to pay tribute to Dame Tracey Crouch, whose work laid the foundations for this Bill. Also questions the selection of David Kogan as chair of the independent football regulator.

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Requests the Secretary of State to address his concerns.

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Congratulates the Secretary of State on bringing the Bill and highlights Bury FC's historic first promotion since their eviction from the football league, urging support for the new regulator’s home to be in Bury.

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Welcomes the revival of Bury FC, highlighting Rochdale FC's achievement in securing a play-off place. Questions whether the new regulator will ensure smaller clubs see a reverse of inequity.

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Questions whether the Secretary of State will publish a copy of UEFA's letter before voting.

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Will the Secretary of State rectify concerns about parachute payments by putting a provision in the Bill?

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Given the amount of money in the Premier League, does the Secretary of State share concerns about the support provided to families of former footballers with neurodegenerative conditions?

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Will the Secretary of State reconsider ruling out allowing the regulator to take account of parachute payments before the 'state of the game' report is published?

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Does the Bill help prevent situations where clubs get trapped with unsuitable or expensive stadiums because of internal issues at the club?

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Will the Secretary of State assist clubs that took DCMS sport survival loans during covid but are now struggling with repayment?

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Is it illegal for football clubs to advertise posts that exclude white men in the UK under the Equality Act 2010?

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N/A

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Will the right hon. Gentleman now set out specific measures in the Bill that contradict Dame Tracey Crouch’s recommendations?

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If a Conservative party donor was being presented by a Conservative Secretary of State for this role, would the shadow Secretary of State support it?

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Does my right hon. Friend think that the Labour party would support a similar appointment if they were in power?

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Is he content to maintain the status quo which allows beloved clubs to be lost, for political points?

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Was the right hon. Gentleman upset when the previous Government appointed Richard Sharp as BBC chair?

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Why will he not back this Bill?

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The speech was hysterical at points; the UEFA ban claim is wrong.

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Is there concern about the wealth disparity between the Premier League and lower divisions?

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Does Leeds United's history reflect a need for better financial governance?

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Given that the person who negotiated that rights deal is going to be the regulator, how confident is the hon. Member that they will change the process that he criticises?

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To be clear, is the hon. Gentleman suggesting that the regulator should intervene on the issue of gambling ads rather than this House taking responsibility for doing so? I worry about the regulator’s reach spreading and about it forcing small clubs to engage with their communities over ticket prices and so forth; if there has to be a regulator, we must keep it highly constrained.

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The Bill is very much rooted in what Dame Tracey Crouch recommended in the fan-led review. I asked the shadow Secretary of State if he could detail any ways in which this Bill deviates from what Tracey Crouch recommended.

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The English premier league is the best in the world. Any bar we go into across the world wants to show premier league football. There is a real danger of killing the golden goose if we try to pull that down.

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The club was pulled from the brink of oblivion by the largest fan-led buy-out in history—fans put their money where their mouth is. Some 2,300 Pompey fans invested their own money and became shareholders, raising around £2.5 million.

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The MP highlights the importance of football clubs to communities, citing Sheffield as an example. She questions why the government is getting involved in football, emphasising that without fan engagement, clubs are nothing.

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The MP acknowledges the global reach and importance of English football, touching upon the role of fans and the need for a regulatory body to protect the sport.

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While acknowledging concerns about bad ownership, Charlie Dewhirst expresses skepticism towards government regulation in a successful market like English football. He mentions the economic impact of the Premier League on the UK economy and raises doubts about whether every club owner is intent on ruining their club.

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Asks if Charlie Dewhirst accepts that this regulator will ensure better protection for clubs with bad owners in the future.

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Would the hon. Gentleman categorise UEFA and FIFA as organisations where politics is kept at arm's length?

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FIFA’s recent history is not proud, but it raises concerns around operating within landscape.

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How does the Financial Fair Play system impact financial stability and heritage?

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How does football contribute to community involvement?

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What does Forest Green Rovers do with mental health among men?

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What is your view on the ownership of Reading FC?

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We should leave football alone, it works on its own without regulation. Risk-taking and business savvy are key to running successful clubs.

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Questioned Rupert Lowe about whether fan involvement in clubs is harmful.

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Speaks on the Football Governance Bill, highlighting the case of Basingstoke Town and its transition to a fan-owned model. Critiques past governance issues that led to the loss of the Camrose ground.

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Supports Bromley FC’s recent achievements but criticises Labour's proposed football regulator as cronyism, warning about the risks to English football’s independence.

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Emphasises the governance problems in football and supports Labour's commitment to fixing these issues, referencing crises at clubs like Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.

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Has the hon. Lady not received a payment of £8,000 from the man whom her own Government want to install as an independent chair of an independent regulator? Does she not accept that this is a major compromise of independence?

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As a Sheffield Wednesday fan, I understand the financial pain clubs experience. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Opposition do not actually know why they are objecting to the Bill?

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I congratulate my hon. Friend on her excellent campaigning on this issue. Does she agree that Reading football club is at the heart of the community and we have to act to protect them? The Conservatives are letting down fans.

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As a member of the football APPG, I support the principle of establishing a regulator for football. It is welcomed by the EFL and FSA, and even some from the Premier League. Why should we not proceed with this Bill?

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What’s that?

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Football clubs are part of cultural DNA, with rich heritage built by generations of fans. The Bill takes steps to address issues but leaves national league and grassroots football outside its scope. What is the Government's response?

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Clubs are community assets, contributing over £1.2 billion in social value annually through their community programmes. What does the Bill propose to ensure financial stability for clubs across the pyramid?

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Why does the Bill claim cross-party consensus on the principle of an independent football regulator?

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What risks does the Bill pose to football and how will it lead to overreach and over-regulation?

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Unlike many Members of this House, I can remember a time when football was in the shadows. Overwhelmed by hooliganism, it was looked down on... As we have heard, the premier league has unrivalled global reach, but in celebrating its international reach and national popularity, we must not forget football’s origins...

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Sadly, my remarks tonight are tinged slightly with sadness. On Saturday, Carlisle United confirmed their relegation to the national league... My spirits are, however, somewhat restored by the provisions of this Bill—namely those to improve the financial stability of our football clubs, protect our clubs’ important cultural heritage and assets...

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Expresses concern that the Bill might stifle ambition in smaller clubs, risking their ability to compete on equal footing with larger clubs. He questions whether funding will reach grassroots clubs and asks for reassurances about fair financial distribution.

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Recalls the efforts of Christine Seddon to restore pride in Blackpool FC through a four-year boycott led by the Supporters Trust. He emphasises the importance of empowering fans and ensuring that clubs do not fall into crisis due to mismanagement.

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Declares his interest as an Aston Villa season ticket holder. Acknowledges the success of English football but questions whether community activism and local business involvement are enough to prevent club collapse, referencing Bury FC.

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I am genuinely astonished by your statement. The hon. Gentleman seems to be suggesting that a football team can collapse but still be called a football club, and that should be good enough for fans. Is he really saying we shouldn't have hope or ambition for community clubs?

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I would like to thank the Secretary of State for bringing the Football Governance Bill before the House. I am flabbergasted by the change in stance from the right hon. Member for Daventry, who supported it pre-election but now opposes it. What will Dame Tracey Crouch be thinking watching this on her television?

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As a lifelong Liverpool supporter, I welcome this Bill and commend the Government and Secretary of State for standing up to opposition from Tories and football industry. The current model of regulation is not working for fans or long-term interests of clubs, especially with examples like Everton and Manchester United building stadiums at £750 million to £1 billion each.

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I want to focus on the distribution of revenues through the football pyramid. In my constituency, there are several clubs in steps four to seven that contribute significantly to local identity. The share of revenue reaching grassroots teams has decreased recently, making it difficult for these clubs to secure funding for essential upgrades and improvements. Can the Minister consider extending the scope of the regulator to include grassroots teams?

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I am concerned about the pricing-out of working-class supporters. Despite some progress in freezing ticket prices at Premier League clubs, many young and older fans still face prohibitive costs. Can the new independent football regulator have involvement in ticket pricing to ensure loyal fans are not priced out of their sport?

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While I appreciate the intentions behind establishing an independent regulator, there are concerns that this could hinder growth in football and lead to increased red tape. How do you respond to these criticisms?

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Derby County provides the best example of why we need this Football Governance Bill—finally, a competition we can win. Brian Clough was sacked less than a year after winning the league for Derby in 1972, leading to protests and a threatened players’ strike. Years of financial mismanagement led to dropping into the third tier and facing a winding-up order in the High Court. The requirement for clubs to seek pre-approval from the independent regulator for the sale or relocation of their stadium is essential. We need minimum standards of fan engagement and a club licensing regime.

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Despite the Conservatives’ attempt to turn this debate into a game of two faces, I have a serious point. In 2008, business partners Yasuaki Kagami and George Synan became majority shareholders at Plymouth Argyle, leading to financial withholding and relegation from the championship to league one and then league two in three years. This Bill will introduce regulation of ownership but does not mention slavery or human rights in the ownership test. Will the Government consider those issues important? The Government voted down an amendment that would have reduced gambling advertisement and sponsorship in English football.

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Football clubs command a special place in the hearts of their community. Southend United nearly lost its club due to financial mismanagement, leading to numerous deadlines, point deductions, and a winding-up petition. The social impact of the club is estimated at £10.3 million annually by the Shrimpers Trust, which welcomes this Bill's provisions but has suggestions for improvement. Fans are clear that they want this legislation to progress.

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The MP highlighted Derby County’s recent financial struggles, including administration and relegation due to mismanagement. She cited support for the Bill's provisions to improve financial resilience in football clubs.

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The MP discussed Reading FC's anxiety due to their absent owner, Dai Yongge. He praised supporters for their efforts and criticised Tories for U-turning against the Bill.

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The MP spoke about Reading FC’s history and current risks due to irresponsible ownership, highlighting points deductions and relegation threats. He emphasised the need for the Bill to prevent such situations in the future.

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Football is more than just a game; it is a source of pride, identity and belonging. For places like Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, football unites our communities in a way few other things can. What on earth has happened? The Conservatives say it is another Bill, but it is not. It is their Bill with a few additions.

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The hon. Gentleman will know that politicians are blamed for just about everything anyway, so it will not make much difference. This is a very tightly drafted Bill, and the role of the regulator is detailed in it.

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In my constituency, we are lucky to have Mansfield Town as our local club. The Bill will give us an independent football regulator, and new rules to protect our clubs and empower fans.

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In my constituency, we are and will always be proud of our club, Morecambe FC. When we went to Chelsea, we overwhelmed the home fans a little bit.

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The Minister, why is this Bill so important when the Conservatives previously did not support it?

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What impact does this Bill have on community identity and the cultural value of football clubs?

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How does the Bill support smaller clubs like Crewe Alexandra?

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How does the Football Governance Bill contribute to local economies like Rushcliffe?

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The Member expresses his delight over the inclusion of parachute payments in the Bill. He recounts the challenges faced by football clubs such as Gateshead, Sunderland and highlights the importance of a sense of place and community for fans.

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The Member thanks the Secretary of State for bringing forward the Bill, which will be a huge benefit to teams like Gateshead. She shares her personal experiences as a fan and highlights the need for fans to be at the centre of football regulation.

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The Member questions the reasons behind Labour's delay in bringing the Bill forward. He raises concerns about potential interference from the Government regulator in UEFA-licensed competitions, arguing that this risks excluding English football clubs from such competitions.

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Clarify the impact of multi-club models on the regulator's assessment and its implications for women’s football.

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Discuss the changes reflecting previous committee's report on fan engagement and foreign policy. Highlight concerns about parachute payments.

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Inquire about commercial issues such as sponsorship and gambling impact.

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Call for private correspondence to be published, asking how many letters from FIFA and UEFA were published by their Government?