The UK Government are considering putting plans for an independent football regulator on hold, according to a report in the Times. It claims that the newly formed team under Prime Minister Liz Truss would prefer to give a fixed deadline for alternative plans to be proposed.
It would come as a huge U-turn for the sport if that were to be the case, due to the expectation of an implemented regulator in the near future. The need for such a body was found to be a key point in a fan-led review into the state of the game by former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch.
Several factors impacted this, from footballing sustainability - that has seen clubs like Bury and Macclesfield go bust - to the formation of a European Super League. The latter sparked much debate in the country as Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham were among the English clubs joining the invitation-only project that created outrage.
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It shortly disbanded, however, with the lack of control fans had over such huge decisions made by the owners left many questioning the power the average spectator has along with how football ownership is structured in the country.
One of the main voices in the media banging the drum for an independent regulator is former Manchester United defender and pundit Gary Neville. Neville - part owner of League Two side Salford City - has come out against the potential of a U-turn on such plans, saying: "There is cross-party support for a regulator along with the majority of football outside the Top 6 [Premier League clubs].
"The fan-led review is a Conservative Party manifesto pledge and I would expect any individual opinion to be discarded in favour of the more collective position set out by the government and football itself. The fan-led review was referred to in the Queen’s speech and I would expect that to be seen through.”
Legislation still remains an option for the government, if required. However, they may be looking for the game to find its own solutions to the issues it faces. One of which may relate to a shuffling of the domestic competitions as well as more money handed out to the EFL from the Premier League in return.
It remains to be seen if this will be the plan laid out by the new Truss-led Conservative Government, although either plan looks set to have a huge impact on how football may progress in the future.
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