Possible Football Regulatory Body May Force Teams to Leave Leagues and Shut Down Stadiums — The Game Deserves More

FOOTBALL has flourished for more than 150 years.

It holds the title of the most popular sport worldwide and is undoubtedly one of the most treasured hobbies.

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The sport is loved by athletes, fans, television audiences, and children from an early age.

It contributes £8 billion to the Treasury every year.

Moreover, it creates jobs, raises hopes, tells stories, delivers excitement, and brings disappointments.

For some, it encapsulates a complete lifestyle.

So, what does it genuinely need?

It’s easier to identify what it doesn’t require — a regulator assuming the role of judge and jury for professional clubs.

Challenges persist — as they always have — and our first appointee is set to arrive quite soon.

There’s no doubt a revolution is on the horizon, accompanied by a significant influx of capital.

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New legislation will be enforced towards the year’s end.

The bill has passed through the House of Lords this week and is now heading to the Commons.

Manchester City initiated an inquiry into Erling Haaland after he allegedly ‘left the club’s mascot with whiplash’ from a hit to the back of the head

In the Lords, the discussion convinced me that creating a regulator for professional leagues will produce minimal advantages and could lead to considerable efforts and costs.

Our sport has effectively managed disputes for years.

A regulator wasn’t essential in the past, and it isn’t required now.

This individual will wield considerable power to grant licenses to each of the 116 clubs to operate — each with specific conditions prescribed by national laws.

Breaching these license terms could lead to teams being expelled from the league, venues being shut down, or even potential imprisonment — although a brief stay at the Scrubs seems improbable.

However, a severe violation could lead to a named director facing fines of up to £75,000 daily.

The regulator is also responsible for ensuring each club’s financial sustainability.
Should a club fail this requirement, it may be forced to sell assets, likely involving star players.

That’s when discontent could likely arise.

Regulators have a mixed track record. One such institution, Ofwat (the water services regulation authority), has struggled with the issue of waste dumping into multiple rivers, lakes, and seas.

Swimming in contaminated rivers like the Wye has become a public health concern.

Additionally, services overseen by Ofcom have become sluggish and disproportionately costly.

Numerous politicians perceive regulators as a one-size-fits-all solution.

But, truthfully, would they not?

While many fans may share this sentiment, I suspect there will be a significant shift in perspective once they realize how such interventions could affect their club.

The Premier League’s wealth and prestige have incited envy elsewhere — particularly within the EFL.

Many EFL clubs I speak with despise the thought of being accountable to a regulator endowed with extensive powers dictating how to operate their clubs

This perspective is somewhat understandable — even if Championship clubs are relatively prosperous.

This league, after all, ranks as the sixth richest globally, having recently secured a new £1 billion television rights deal.

However, although nine clubs in that league have billionaire owners, many in the lower divisions grapple with financial difficulties.

Accrington Stanley, a founding member of the Football League, has not drawn home crowds close to 3,000 this season.

And for one League Two evening match in September, their attendance was just 791.

Clearly, such struggling clubs deserve support — and the majority of Premier League teams recognize this necessity.

That’s why we invest £1.6 BILLION down the pyramid, while the PL Stadium Fund has allocated over £207 million to initiatives that encompass 577 clubhouses and changing rooms, 832 stands, 682 floodlights, and 480 pitch upgrades.

Ongoing discussions regarding alternatives to the politicians’ preferred plan should take place among the FA, the Premier League, and the EFL.

Many EFL clubs I converse with have a strong aversion to the idea of becoming subject to a regulator wielding considerable authority over their operations.

The initial proposal for the new regulator includes a report on the game’s current status.

This will take 18 months, but the bill’s lack of clarity and detail will likely lead to unavoidable legal challenges that will be formidable!

Moreover, the potential results don’t appear very promising.

And who will fund these ambitious initiatives?

Well, it will naturally be the Premier League.

Every pound spent on the regulator is a pound taken away from essential causes and pyramid funding.

And therein lies the real tragedy.