Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Football Club Governance: Fans’ Views

Thursday 9 March 2023 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kate Hollern asked about steps to ensure fans' views are considered in football club governance, and the response mentioned the introduction of an independent regulator to engage fans and give them veto rights.
  • Kate Hollern also raised concerns about shadow boards and golden shares not being mandatory, and the response highlighted the importance of football clubs to their communities and the integral role fans will have in governance.
  • Andrew Bridgen inquired about the financial sustainability of clubs and the regulation of owners, and the response stated that the independent regulator will ensure financial stability and prevent irresponsible management by club owners.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Hollern Lab
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question addresses the need for fans' views to be considered in football club management, referencing a White Paper that outlines plans for an independent regulator.

Question

What steps is she taking to help ensure the views of fans are taken into account in the running of football clubs?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

Fans are absolutely at the heart of football. We are introducing an independent regulator for English football clubs which will put fans back at the centre of how football is run. The regulator requires every club to meet a minimum standard of engagement and ensures that fans have veto rights on issues such as a change of badge or home shirt colour, and are consulted on any stadium sale.

Answered
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Q2 Kate Hollern Lab
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question references the Blackburn Rovers Supporters Trust's involvement and disappointment with aspects of the White Paper regarding shadow boards and golden shares.

Question

I agree with the Secretary of State. The Blackburn Rovers Supporters Trust is integral to Blackburn's community, welcoming most aspects of the White Paper but disappointed that the Government did not make shadow boards or the golden share a requirement of the IREF's licensing system. Will the Secretary of State consider making shadow boards a minimum requirement for the football regulator's licensing system?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

What the hon. Lady says about football clubs being at the heart of their community is true across the country. Our reforms ensure that fans have an integral say in matters affecting them. We see shadow boards at premier league level, and I am confident our changes will give fans a greater say in football.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Making shadow boards mandatory

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Q3 Andrew Bridgen Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question highlights the issue of financial stability for football clubs, referencing a recent case with Derby County.

Question

Can the Secretary of State outline to the House how the independent regulator will help with the financial sustainability of clubs, and how it will limit the power of owners who might gamble with their club's future?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

The hon. Member makes an important point. Financial stability is one reason we have brought in an independent regulator to ensure clubs are stable and not destroyed, which then destroys communities. The independent regulator will ensure financial stability and there will be owners' and directors' tests to ensure that we know who owns clubs and that they have the funds to maintain them.

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