Football’s independent regulator will have the power to settle the ongoing row over financial distribution between the Premier League and the EFL.
The Government has long warned the football authorities the regulator would have ‘backstop powers’ to intervene and those powers will be confirmed on Tuesday when the Football Governance Bill is introduced to Parliament.
“These powers mean that if the leagues fail to agree on a new deal on financial distributions, then the backstop can be triggered to ensure a settlement is reached,” a Government announcement on the Bill said.
Precise details over the point at which the powers would be triggered – and what those powers would look like – have not yet been confirmed but the Government said in a consultation response last September that one option it was considering was binding final offer arbitration.
Under that system, the two leagues would each submit their proposal, the regulator would assess them against predetermined criteria, and then would choose and impose one as the binding arrangement.
There had been hope that the Premier League’s clubs would make a formal offer to the EFL at a meeting last Monday, but none was forthcoming and instead the Premier League said its clubs were focused on first agreeing new financial rules for the top flight.
A Premier League statement released on Monday evening read: “The Premier League will now study the Football Governance Bill, working closely with Government, parliamentarians and key stakeholders.
“We agree it is vital that football clubs are sustainable, remain at the heart of their communities and that fans are fundamental to the game.”
Top flight clubs were accused by Culture, Media and Sport select committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage of making an “empty promise” while the EFL said it was “clearly disappointed” at the “repeated failure” to put forward any new funding offer.
Premier League sources insist the EFL pushed back on 15 separate points when the Premier League made a proposal covering increased funding and cost controls to the EFL last September.
EFL chair Rick Parry told MPs in January that the funding offer under discussion would give his competition 14.75 per cent of the net media revenues earned by the EFL and the Premier League.
This has been projected to be worth an extra £900million to the EFL over six seasons.
Parry welcomed the introduction of the Bill on Monday, saying it could “help fix the game’s broken financial model” – if it was “delivered on the right terms”.
The regulator’s primary purpose, once established, will be to safeguard the financial sustainability of clubs in England through a licensing system. This will cover clubs from the National League up to the Premier League.
The Government has said the regulator will have the ability to fine clubs up to 10 per cent of turnover for non-compliance.
It will also have the power to block clubs from competing in unapproved competitions, a nod to the outrage among fans caused by England’s ‘Big Six’ seeking to form a European Super League in April 2021.
The Government intends the regulator’s licensing regime to be “proportionate” and said it will involve a system of provisional and full licences, to give clubs time to transition.
The regulator will have the power to assess prospective new owners and directors and disqualify them where they persistently or wilfully fail to comply with licensing conditions, the Government said.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “For too long some clubs have been abused by unscrupulous owners who get away with financial mismanagement, which at worst can lead to complete collapse – as we saw in the upsetting cases of Bury and Macclesfield Town.
“This Bill is a historic moment for football fans – it will make sure their voices are front and centre, prevent a breakaway league, protect the financial sustainability of clubs, and protect the heritage of our clubs big and small.”
Gordon and Souttar cut as Scotland name final Euro 2024 squad
Craig Gordon and John Souttar have been cut from Steve Clark's Scotland squad for Euro 2024.
Gordon made history in the Tartan Army's 2-2 draw with Finland on Friday, coming on as a second-half substitute to become the nation's oldest-ever international.
The 41-year-old replaced Angus Gunn at half-time to earn his 75th cap, 20 years on from his debut.
Following the game, Clark confirmed that Clark was one of the players dropped, with Rangers defender John Souttar also missing out on a place in the final 26-man party.
Scotland had already lost Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson and Lewis Ferguson to injury before the provisional squad was named.
Since then, Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak have withdrawn, with Tommy Conway and Lewis Morgan called up as replacements, and they both make the final squad.
Final squad: Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Zander Clark (Hearts), Liam Kelly (unattached), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Ryan Porteus (Watford), Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), Stuart Armstrong (unattached), Ryan Jack (Rangers), Che Adams (Southampton), Tommy Conway (Bristol City), James Forrest (Celtic), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts).
Martinez: Ronaldo experience key for Portugal
Roberto Martinez is confident that Cristiano Ronaldo's vast experience will benefit Portugal during Euro 2024.
Ronaldo first played in the Euros in 2004 before winning the competition in 2016, and will surely appear in a record-extending sixth edition later this month.
The 39-year-old is the leading scorer in men's international football, netting 128 goals in 204 official matches, with 14 of those coming in the European Championships.
Ronaldo is entering what could potentially be the final major tournament of his stellar career, and Martinez is hoping to draw on all his experience ahead of their opener.
"Cristiano had very consistent performances at his club. There is no doubt that he is an incredible scorer," Martinez told reporters on Friday.
"He is in his sixth European Championship, and he is the only player who has played in five European Championships. So, we are talking about achieving a unique feat in the world of soccer and his experience is important for us.
"We have 23 players. We create competitiveness and the game makes decisions. But Cristiano is prepared to help the team and give everything he can give. And there is no other player in the world of soccer who can bring what Cristiano can to the dressing room."
Portugal will play a final warm-up game against Croatia on Saturday before beginning their Euro 2024 campaign in Group F against the Czech Republic on June 18.
'Vinicius the best player in the world by far' - Ronaldo
Brazil legend Ronaldo says Vinicius Junior is the best player in the world "by far", as the former Real Madrid and Selecao striker joined calls for the winger to be crowned this year's Ballon d'Or winner.
It has already been a memorable 2024 for Vinicius, who played a starring role as Madrid regained the LaLiga crown, before scoring in their Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
The winger top-scored for Los Blancos with 24 goals across all competitions, with the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Jude Bellingham and Neymar insisting his exploits are worthy of winning the Ballon d'Or award.
Vinicius would be the fifth Brazilian to win the prestigious accolade after Kaka, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo (twice), with the latter believing it is a formality.
"He's been extremely decisive this year for Real Madrid," he told ESPN Brasil. "For me, today he's the best player in the world by far.
"I think Vini already deserves [the Ballon d'Or]. I think his time has come. He's had a spectacular Champions League, a spectacular LaLiga, and he's been evolving more and more.
"I remember that I did his presentation the day he arrived at Real Madrid and I got on well with him. I talk to Vini a lot about football and certain details and, looking at everything that's happened, it's a fantastic development that he's making."
Vinicius now turns his attentions to the Copa America, where Brazil are among the favourites to land the crown in the United States.
Rivaldo, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1999, concurred with Ronaldo, and thinks the 23-year-old would be guaranteed the award should he lead the Selecao to glory.
"He deserves the Ballon d'Or," the former attacking midfielder said. "Of course, there's nothing better for him than to secure the award once and for all than by winning the Copa America now, right?
"Today, he already deserves the award, but if he wins the Copa America, even better."
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