Key Facts

• The Committee will meet at specified times on May 14, 16, 21, and 23.
• Oral evidence sessions are scheduled with various organisations including Mr Kieran Maguire, Dr Christina Philippou, the English Football League, Premier League, etc., up to June 6.
• Written evidence will be reported for publication.
• The Committee shall deliberate in private before oral evidence sessions.
• Since the Premier League was formed in 1992-93, its revenues have increased by 2,857%, while wages have risen by over 4,000%.
• In 2022-23, Premier League clubs lost a collective £836 million and Championship clubs averaged losses of £20 million.
• About two in five clubs in the top four leagues have gone into administration over the last 30 years.
• The Football Governance Bill aims to address corporate governance issues in football clubs.
• An independent regulator would have statutory powers to investigate clubs and enforce cost controls.
• Checks on new owners’ backgrounds and their proof of finance should be robust.
• National League clubs average losses are £970,000 a year.
• In 1992-93, 43% of Premier League revenues came from matchday tickets; in 2022-23, this is down to £1 in every £7.
• Full stadiums are critical for the emotional and financial success of football matches.
• The Football Governance Bill aims to tackle problematic behaviors by club owners.
• Clubs rely on timely financial reports published at Companies House for meaningful analysis.
• Portsmouth FC had two former owners jailed for fraud, highlighting issues with due diligence in ownership.
• The session welcomes Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the Premier League; Rick Parry, Chair of the English Football League; and Mark Ives, General Manager of the National League.
• The discussion centres on the effectiveness of current owners and directors tests in football clubs.
• The panel will address whether the Bill's new regulatory layer improves financial sustainability and governance.
• Mark Hendrick is discussing the Football Governance Bill in a Public Bill Committee.
• The National League is governed by FA regulation for the owners and directors test (ODT).
• Hendrick welcomes the ODT but urges the Government to ensure speed of operation.
• The Bill sets out aims without specifying methods for achieving them.
• National League has not had a club go into administration since 2013 due to financial regulations.
• Concerns about duplication of licensing schemes and costs being passed down to regulated clubs.
• The Premier League aims to maintain its position as the most popular league in the world through collective effort and investment.
• Football governance needs to be football-led, with regulatory bodies stepping in when necessary.
• The National League has a licensing programme to prepare clubs for EFL, ensuring they are suitably prepared upon promotion.
• Richard Masters acknowledges that the Premier League has enforced financial rules this season.
• Rick Parry agrees with Richard Masters' opinion on the scope of the regulator's role.
• Mark Ives highlights the importance of league-specific financial regulation and intervention for club survival.
• The current solidarity payment from the Premier League to the EFL is around £130 million annually.
• In 2021, five parachute clubs received £233 million between them and 19 Championship clubs received £79 million in solidarity payments.
• Parachute payments have risen from £30 million (7% of aggregate turnover) in 2010-11 to £233 million (39% of aggregate turnover) in 2020-21.
• The Premier League agreement was renewed in 2019.
• Part 6 of the Bill acts as a backstop for resolving disputes when negotiations fail.
• EFL and Premier League funding distribution is under scrutiny.
• The Football Supporters' Association has been lobbying for significant reform to football governance.
• Kevin Miles is Chief Executive of the Football Supporters’ Association.
• The Bill supports the establishment of an independent regulator with three primary objectives: sustainability, resilience, and heritage.
• Kevin Miles addresses issues related to club engagement with fans.
• Fan advisory boards in Premier League clubs do not always provide adequate consultation on ticket price increases.
• Amendment proposed by Ian Byrne aims to add supporters and supporter organisations to clause 8(b) of the Bill.
• Kevin Miles advocates for clearer guidance on club responsibilities in fan engagement.
• Independent directors could be required to consider fans' views as part of their corporate governance duties.
• There is a need for better mechanisms to resolve disputes over ground ownership and relocation issues.
• Mark Hendrick is the MP representing Preston (Labour/Co-operative).
• The Committee will reconvene at 2 pm this afternoon.
• The next meeting location is the Boothroyd Room.