Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses concerns about the impact of the European Super League proposal on competitive balance within British football.
What assessment has been made of the potential effect of the super league on levels of competition in professional football in the UK?
The Government were vocal in their opposition to the European super league, which would have been detrimental to the entire football pyramid. In fact, the whole House was united in opposition. I am glad that all the English teams that were to be involved have now withdrawn from the project, and that was the right result for football fans, clubs and communities right across the country.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific assessment of the potential effects on competition levels in professional football.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The supplementary question discusses the American model of football, focusing on its differences from the UK system regarding promotion and relegation.
Will the Minister give an assurance to this House—in fact, prejudge the review if you like—and promise that, whatever happens, there will be promotion and regular relegation between the different football leagues?
I thank my hon. Friend for those comments. I know that he shares my passion for American football, but it is not necessarily a model that we would wish to emulate. It has strengths and weaknesses, but, at heart, football—in fact, all sport—is about competition and fairness, and those should underlie the sport. We are conducting the fan-led review. I am afraid that I cannot pre-empt the conclusions of that review, but I think that we are all looking forward to the work that my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch), a highly regarded and respected Member of this House, will be conducting over the coming weeks, and I am sure that he will contribute to that debate.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not give an assurance regarding promotion and relegation despite being asked specifically about it.
Response accuracy