Fair Game, a coalition of 34 clubs from the Championship down to non-League, has launched a Sustainability Index as it seeks to add momentum to the calls for an independent regulator in football.
The group unveiled their plan to reward well-run clubs at Westminster this evening, backed by a number of politicians including former Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron, and reiterated calls for MPs to back the implementation of recommendations from Tracey Crouch’s fan-led review.
There have been few developments since Nadine Dorries said that the government welcomed the review’s publication, which stressed the need for an independent regulator, and would seek to move ahead with plans swiftly. Since then a series of Premier League executives have tried to play down the need for regulation.
The proposed Sustainability Index would effectively work as a league table with clubs earning points based on four criteria: financial sustainability, good governance, equality standards, and fan and community engagement.
Finances from broadcast revenue and a mooted transfer solidarity payment would then be distributed based on a club’s index rating.
Christina Philippou, the group’s director of policy, said: “The Fan-Led Review led by Tracey Crouch was comprehensive and thorough. It chimed well with our own findings and we believe all the recommendations from the Review should be enshrined in legislation.
“It addressed concerns over financial management of clubs, poor governance, and fan engagement. And rightly outlined several potential sanctions.
“The Index creates an incentive for clubs to reform or maintain governance and reporting standards. It is an approach that has consistently worked in other industries and with other regulators.”
Fair Game’s chief executive Niall Couper added: “The potential for the index is huge. It could be truly transformational for our national game.
“There are significant funds that are allocated from the Premier League. The Sustainability Index provides the mechanism to ensure that those funds are channelled to well-run clubs.
“We believe it would create a cultural change that would benefit all of football. The Fan-Led Review provided the ingredients, we believe the Sustainability Index is the recipe and now it’s up to politicians to serve it and deliver a better future for future.”
