Football fan group hits back at MP over independent football regulator

Plans for a new independent regulator are set to soon be debated in parliament, with the Football Governance Bill currently making its way through the House of Lords.

The initial plans were established by the former Conservative government, following a fan led review that found a body was required to ensure the long term financial stability of the men's professional game.

It came after issues of mismanagement at certain clubs in the EFL, such as Bury and Macclesfield, and the controversial plans for a European Super League.

The bill didn't make its way through parliament before the Conservatives lost last year's election, but was reintroduced by the Labour government in October.

This week Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has labelled the plans a 'waste of money' - and insists people in the football industry believe it will not work.

Plans for a regulator have been backed by the EFL and bodies such as the PFA - however the Premier League has expressed concerns, believing the regulator will have, 'unprecedented and untested powers to intervene in the distribution of revenues'.

The Football Supporters Association are another group that have backed the bill - and have hit back at the Conservative leaders comments this week, calling them an own goal.

A statement read: "She claims to have spoken to people in the 'industry' - we prefer to call it the game - but that doesn't appear to include the EFL who represent 72 clubs and back the regulator. Can Kemi let everyone know exactly who she's spoken to in football?

"She has certainly not spoken to the FSA or our supporter groups who are right behind this legislation which puts a block on domestic involvement in a European Super League, offers more protection to our clubs, and gives supporters a greater say in the game."

It has not been confirmed when the plans will go to parliament - but it is set to be a devisive subject when it is debated.

According to reports, the Premier League want to avoid 'unintended consequences' from the bill, and are currently in talks with the Government, with a view to changing the framework of the legislation.

What will the independent football regulator do?

Many are unsure of that the independent regulator will do. According to the government bill that is currently with the House of Lords, this is what it plans to do:

Financial soundness - to protect and promote financial sustainability of individual clubs, ensuring that clubs take sensible financial decisions and consider the long-term when taking risks

Systemic financial resilience - to protect and promote the financial resilience of English football as a whole, ensuring that systemic risks and structural issues like the distribution of revenue through the pyramid are managed appropriately

Heritage - to safeguard the traditional features of English football that matter most to the fans and local communities of clubs