New watchdog will have powers to scrutinise takeovers, monitor club finances, and intervene in cases of mismanagement
The British Parliament has backed the introduction of an independent regulator for English football, following a decisive House of Commons vote that brings the long-debated Football Governance Bill a step closer to becoming law.
The bill passed with an overwhelming 415 votes in favour to 98 against. If made law, it will require all clubs in England, including in the Premier League, to hold a licence in order to operate. To obtain the licence, clubs will have to meet baseline standards of financial sustainability, governance and fan engagement.
The new watchdog will have powers to scrutinise takeovers, monitor club finances, and intervene in cases of mismanagement.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy hailed the vote as a victory for fans who have felt sidelined for too long, and some of whom have seen their clubs collapse.
Nandy said: “We are doing this for you (fans) because for too long, you have been treated as an afterthought at best or a nuisance at worst in a game that is only great because of you.
“This is for Macclesfield, for Wigan, for Bury, for Bolton, for Derby, for Reading, for Sheffield Wednesday, for Morecambe and for many, many more who have had to endure the misery of being put last when they should have been put first.”
The push for reform was sparked by a 2021 fan-led review led by MP Tracey Crouch, which found that football’s current model of self-regulation had failed to prevent financial crises, reckless ownership and disconnection between clubs and their local communities.
That review was prompted by several high-profile cases, including the collapse of Bury FC, the proposed European Super League, and rising debt across the EFL.
The proposed regulator would also protect core parts of clubs’ identities, including their names, crests and stadiums, as well as preventing risky financial practices such as takeovers funded by large amounts of debt as in the 2005 case with the Glazer family and Manchester United.
Some in the Premier League have voiced concerns about how the regulator might affect the league’s competitiveness on a global stage, but the government insists the plans strike the right balance.
Football campaign group Fair Game described the passing of the bill through the House of Commons as “a historic step forward for our national game”.
