A FAN-LED review of Scottish football is set to recommend the appointment of an independent regulator – and the proposal has already gained significant cross-party support at Holyrood.
The Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) is currently compiling a wide-ranging study into the governance of the game in this country which is due to be published in November.
One of the key suggestions which will be contained in the report, which has been endorsed by the main political parties at the Scottish parliament, will be the introduction of an independent regulator.
“One of the elements of the report that we’re producing is going to be a detailed proposal for independent, arms-length scrutiny and where appropriate regulatory control of the way the game is financed and corporate governance operates in Scottish football,” said Simon Barrow of the SFSA.
“This is something that is starting to be talked about across Europe, it is something that is starting to be talked about down south.
“It is the beginning of the very important trend towards far more economic and financial accountability, responsibility and transparency in the game. Scotland can not only join with others in Europe in moving in that direction, it can also take a lead.
“Why is it necessary to think about that regulatory framework and more independent scrutiny? The game has a massive public interest so the public needs to understand how it is run, how money is spent and so on.
“There needs to be a framework where we can have action over breaches of good financial conduct. Questions are sometimes asked about who gets to own and control clubs. There needs to be more scrutiny.”
Barrow added: “Whatever mechanism is developed, it will need to go through the Scottish parliament. We have had good preliminary conversations already with the Scottish government.
“But we’re keen to work on a cross-party basis. We’re delighted to say that people in all the parties represented in the Scottish parliament are behind the reform of Scottish football and are looking at those kinds of issues.”
The United Kingdom government endorsed the findings of a fan-led review into the men’s game in England and gave a commitment to establish an independent regulator of football down south back in April.
A review chaired by sports minister Tracey Crouch following a number of high-profile crises – including the failed European Super League and the collapse of Bury FC – made 10 recommendations on how to improve football governance.
The regulator will have the power to sanction English clubs who break financial and other rules. A new owners’ test is also set to be introduced and legislation brought in which gives supporters more say in the running of the game.
The new regulator is set to be backed by laws which will allow it to hand out punishments and have financial oversight of clubs.
It will also apply a new “enhanced” owners’ and directors’ test – applied before a potential takeover and on an ongoing basis thereafter - which will replace the current tests which are carried out by the Premier League, Football League and Football Association.
That follows criticism of Roman Abramovich’s ownership of Chelsea and the Saudi Arabian-backed takeover of Newcastle United by Amnesty International UK.
A white paper which sets out proposals for future laws in detail is set to be published this summer – but the UK government say it will set out plans for “a greater role for fans in the day-to-day running of clubs”.
The Premier League responded to the decision by stating that it "recognises and accepts the case for reform" but added that it believed an independent regulator "is not necessary".
