The creation of an independent regulator moved a step closer on Tuesday as the legislation to establish it was introduced to Parliament.
Here the PA news agency takes a closer look.
How have we got here?The collapse of Bury in the summer of 2019 prompted the Conservatives to include a fan-led review of football governance in their General Election manifesto. The review commenced in April 2021, in the immediate wake of the Super League scandal, and recommended the creation of an independent regulator. The Government published a White Paper in February last year and finally the legislation has been introduced to Parliament in the form of the Football Governance Bill.
What will the regulator’s key objectives be?To ensure clubs are run sustainably, that there is financial resilience across leagues, and that fans are properly consulted on club heritage matters.
How will it work?Clubs in the top five tiers of English football will need to be licensed to operate and enter competitions. There will be mandatory licensing conditions around the submission of financial plans and fan engagement, and tailored conditions on top where appropriate to the club concerned. The Government insists well-run clubs will have nothing to fear.
What will it do to tackle unsuitable owners?The regulator will operate a strengthened owners and directors’ test (ODT) with statutory powers, giving it greater ‘teeth’ than similar tests currently operated by the football authorities. It will have access to agencies and branches of Government enabling the regulator to carry out enhanced due diligence on adequacy and source of funds, and will require clubs as a condition of licence to declare who their ultimate owner is.
Owners and directors deemed unsuitable will be subject to a ‘removal direction’ giving them a period of time to leave the role, and placed under restrictions on the control they can exert. Where owners do not comply, the regulator will have the power to force them to sell (divest).
Existing owners and directors can be subject to the test where the regulator is in possession of information giving it grounds for concern.
What other powers will the regulator have?The regulator will adopt an ‘advocacy-first’ approach but the toughest tools at its disposal will be the ability to fine clubs 10 per cent of turnover for serious failures and even revoke a club’s licence – though there would be safeguards around that step, including that revocation could not take effect until the end of the season.
The expectation would be that forcing owners to divest would be pursued before revoking a club’s licence. The regulator will not issue sporting sanctions such as points deductions.
How will it stop clubs joining breakaway leagues?There will be ‘freestanding requirements’ for regulated clubs, one of which concerns entry into prohibited competitions – ones which are deemed not fair or meritocratic and which would jeopardise existing competitions. The regulator would be required to consult the Football Association and any others considered appropriate before prohibiting a competition.
Will the regulator be in charge of financial rules governing the Premier League and the EFL?No. The regulator will not interfere in regulations such as the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) or the squad cost controls that are set to replace PSR, but will serve as a safety net.
What role can the regulator play in resolving the funding stand-off between the Premier League and the EFL?The regulator will have backstop powers. One of the parties (Premier League or EFL) would need to apply to trigger them, and the regulator can only trigger them if it feels one of its key objectives around financial sustainability and resilience cannot be delivered without doing so.
Further mediation will follow and if still no agreement is reached, the parties will submit their final proposals and an independent expert panel will determine which is most suitable.
When will the regulator be up and running?The timescales remain unclear. Lucy Frazer, secretary of state for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said she expected the legislation to pass through Parliament before the end of the current session. That ends when a General Election is called – which could be any time until January 2025.
Who will pay for it?The regulator will be funded by a levy on the regulated clubs, which will vary depending on the size of the club. Government sources indicated the regulator’s annual budget would be £10million, and it is anticipated Premier League clubs would cover approximately 80 per cent.
Inter Miami came from behind once more to beat CF Montreal 3-2 and go three points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference.
For the sixth match in a row, Miami found themselves behind when Bryce Duke slotted in the 22nd minute, and Jules-Anthony Vislant, who set up the opener, finished off a lovely team move 10 minutes later.
However, Miami displayed their fighting spirit again. Matias Rojas stepped up to a free-kick while Lionel Messi received treatment, curling a delightful strike into the top corner.
Shortly before the break, Luis Suarez turned the ball into an empty net while Benjamin Cremaschi completed the comeback in the 59th minute when he bundled it over the line after being picked out by Rojas.
Miami hold a three-point lead over Supporters’ Shield holders FC Cincinnati at the top of the East, with the Orange and Blue keeping pace with a 2-1 win over Columbus Crew.
Data Debrief: Comeback Kings
Miami have won 20 points from losing positions already in the MLS this season, more than any other team. It is the first time they have come from 2-0 down to win since a 3-2 victory over Charlotte in July 2022.
On a quiet day for Messi by his standards, Suarez stepped up with a crucial goal, netting his 11th of the season to equalise. The Uruguayan has now scored in each of his last three matches.
Pioli says speculation over his Milan future is part of the job
Milan coach Stefano Pioli said criticism and speculation are part of his job, as he still does not know if he will remain in the role for next season.
Milan snapped a six-match winless streak with an emphatic 5-1 win over Cagliari on Saturday, yet the pressure remains on the Italian coach, with the Rossoneri only aiming for second place in Serie A after city rivals Inter became champions.
"We are a big club, there are big expectations, so fierce criticism is to be expected, just as ebullient praise is expected when you win," Pioli told Sky Sports.
"That is part of the job, you have to accept it all, or you do a different profession.
"I try to help the team to overcome difficult moments and play as well as possible. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes I got things wrong."
A section of Milan fans have been holding protests at matches, demanding clarity from the management regarding the club's plans after two seasons without silverware.
The club ended their Europa League campaign in the quarter-finals last month, losing at Roma.
Pioli added: "I am really sad about this situation, as we were so proud to create that symbiosis with the fans, which passed on positivity, energy and confidence.
"I have not yet talked to the club. We have another two rounds to go, the season is not over yet.
"I hope everyone around Milan can rediscover that harmony, enthusiasm and energy that helped us to achieve things that perhaps nobody believed were possible."
Al Hilal crowned Saudi Pro League champions after Al Hazm hammering
Al Hilal secured their fourth straight Saudi Pro League title after Aleksandar Mitrovic starred in Saturday's 4-1 thrashing of bottom side Al Hazm.
Faiz Selemani restored parity after Mitrovic's 15th-minute opener at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, only for Jorge Jesus' hosts to roar back and be crowned champions with three games remaining.
Ahmed Al Juwaid's own goal handed the initiative back to the dominant Al Hilal, who led 4-1 at the break after Mitrovic added another to his tally and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was on target.
The second of Mitrovic's strikes took him to a team-leading 26 league goals this term as Al Hilal breezed to another title, moving an unassailable 12 points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr.
Jesus' side are unbeaten through all 31 games this season after securing their record-extending 19th top-flight crown in history, while Al Hazm need to win their last three matches to have any chance of staying up.
Al Hazm's relegation rivals Al Tai boosted their chances of survival in Saturday's earlier clash after a 1-1 draw away against Al Raed.
Al Tai are just a point away from 15th-placed Abha Club in their bid for top-flight safety after Ibrahim Al Nakhli's strike was cancelled out by Al Raed's Mohammed Fouzair in the second half.
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