By Frank Dalleres
The government will introduce an independent football regulator next year, it was confirmed today in the King’s Speech.
The football regulator will oversee the finances of England’s professional clubs, with the emphasis on ensuring the sustainability of the whole pyramid.
“Legislation will be brought forward to safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit of communities and fans,” Charles III told the House of Lords in his King’s Speech.
A football regulator has been in the pipeline since forming one of the key recommendations of Tracey Crouch MP’s Fan Led Review of Football Governance in November 2021.
In June this year, MPs urged the government to establish a shadow regulator by the end of 2023 “to begin initial engagement and preparatory work before waiting for legislation to be passed”.
The King’s Speech also pledged attempts to lower interest rates to help with the cost of living crisis and lower waiting list times on the NHS.
Consultation on the future of English football began in April, prompted by the collapse of Bury FC and the European Super League breakaway attempt by Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Establishing a football regulator in shadow form would allow it to recruit staff and begin engaging with clubs to prepare them for its full implementation.
It was reported last week that the position of interim chief executive of the football regulator is already being advertised internally at the Civil Service.
