Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Football Super League

Thursday 20 May 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government opposed the European super league, stating it would harm the football pyramid.
  • All English teams initially involved in the super league project have withdrawn.
  • The Minister declined to prejudge the review but affirmed the importance of competition and fairness in football.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Bone Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question addresses concerns about the impact of the European Super League proposal on competitive balance within British football.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential effect of the super league on levels of competition in professional football in the UK?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

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 I am glad that all the English teams that were to be involved have now withdrawn from the project, and that was the right result for football fans, clubs and communities right across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific assessment of the potential effects on competition levels in professional football.

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Q2 Peter Bone Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The supplementary question discusses the American model of football, focusing on its differences from the UK system regarding promotion and relegation.

Question

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?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not give an assurance regarding promotion and relegation despite being asked specifically about it.

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