Following publication of the Football Governance Bill, the collective challenge now is to ensure an effective model of regulation which can work in practice.
The Premier League recognises that key elements of the Bill can help make the English game stronger, including the principles of strengthened fan engagement, protecting club heritage, preventing breakaway leagues and encouraging responsible ownership.
However, we remain concerned about the regulatory framework. Specifically, we believe rigid banking-style regulation, and the Regulator’s unprecedented and untested powers to intervene in the distribution of the Premier League’s revenues, could have a negative impact on the League’s continued competitiveness, clubs’ investment in world-class talent and, above all, the aspiration that drives our global appeal and growth.
We appreciate the Government’s recognition of the role English football plays in the economy and society, and its commitment to ensure that these reforms provide protections to enable the Premier League’s continued global success. This is fundamental to the sustainability of the entire game, enabling the world-leading £1.6 billion of funding in the last three years to EFL and National League clubs, the grassroots of the game, football communities and women’s and girls’ football.
With our clubs, we will continue to work with Government and Parliamentarians to consider appropriate checks and balances in the legislation to protect the hard-won position of English football, which is globally admired, a vital source of soft power and a driver of economic growth all over the country.