Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Football Governance: Fan-led Review

Thursday 1 December 2022 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government published their response to the fan-led review of football governance in April 2022
  • Government understands the importance of putting fans' voices at the heart of football governance
  • Government is consulting carefully and considering the policy thoroughly to ensure it is effective

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The fan-led review recommended changes to football governance, but no regulator has been implemented. In the absence of a regulator, there have been financial issues and club relocations.

Question

Whether she plans to implement the recommendations of the fan-led review of football governance. Football's coming home, but it seems that a football regulator is not. Without a football regulator, there will be no say for fans and no financial or fit-and-proper assessment of new owners, with more clubs like Bury being at risk. In that time, we have seen the sale of Chelsea and the near collapse of Derby. Why are the Government dragging their feet?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

The Government published their response to the recommendations of the independent fan-led review of football governance in April 2022. We do recognise the need for football fans to be at the heart of the game and for the reforms to ensure that the game is successful and sustainable in the long term. Football clubs are at the core of local communities and, for too long, fans have been an afterthought for some club owners. It is important that I praise the work of my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch), who got the fans' voice right at the heart of her report. I and the Minister responsible for sport have met multiple football supporters' groups and will continue to do so. The White Paper will be published imminently.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about why the government is delaying implementation was not directly addressed

How: We Are Considering It Carefully, The Report Will Be Imminent

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Q2 Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Torquay United Supporters Trust debated the need for better football governance and fan engagement.

Question

At last week's annual general meeting of the Torquay United Supporters Trust, there was much debate about how the World cup in Qatar and the discussions around it have yet again focused attention on the governance of the game of football. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is absolutely vital that we make changes to ensure fans get a voice, that there is real engagement with their clubs, and that we do not see more incidents where clubs are moved from historic locations due to disputes over stadium ownership?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

We on the Government Benches understand how important it is to get this right, and we will get it right. We will put fans' voices right at the heart of what we do, and ensure that whatever we do has the teeth to ensure change.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about agreement was not addressed with concrete actions or timelines

How: We Will Get It Right

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Q3 Kevin Foster Con
Culture, Media & Sport Business & Trade
Context

Since the publication of the fan-led review, several clubs have faced financial troubles and ownership issues.

Question

In the years since the fan-led review was published, Southend United faced a winding-up petition and a transfer embargo after financial failings; Derby County was in administration; Chelsea could only carry on because of special exemptions when its owner was sanctioned; and the Mayor of the West Midlands wrote to the Football League to express his worries that Birmingham City's future is in jeopardy under its current ownership. Which clubs will face trouble next year, the year after, or each year until the Government stop delaying the introduction of an independent regulator? The Prime Minister committed to implementing all the recommendations of the review, so why do they not just get on with it?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

After the next election, a Conservative Government will continue to get on with the job, as we have always been doing. The Government recognise the importance of acting decisively, but also of getting this policy right; we have been considering it and consulting very carefully.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about delaying implementation was not directly addressed with a timeline or commitment

How: We Are Consulting Carefully

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Q4 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Culture, Media & Sport Business & Trade
Context

Since the publication of the fan-led review, several clubs have faced financial troubles and ownership issues.

Question

In the years since the fan-led review was published, Southend United faced a winding-up petition and a transfer embargo after financial failings; Derby County was in administration; Chelsea could only carry on because of special exemptions when its owner was sanctioned; and the Mayor of the West Midlands wrote to the Football League to express his worries that Birmingham City's future is in jeopardy under its current ownership. Which clubs will face trouble next year, the year after, or each year until the Government stop delaying the introduction of an independent regulator? The Prime Minister committed to implementing all the recommendations of the review, so why do they not just get on with it?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

After the next election, a Conservative Government will continue to get on with the job, as we have always been doing. The Government recognise the importance of acting decisively, but also of getting this policy right; we have been considering it and consulting very carefully.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about delaying implementation was not directly addressed with a timeline or commitment

How: We Are Consulting Carefully

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