The Fan-led Review of Football Governance made a series of recommendations that would put football supporters at the heart of the game, ensure our historic clubs receive the protection they deserve as community assets, and block domestic clubs from entering a breakaway European Super League.

Now we need fans across the country to do their bit to make sure that the Government implements those recommendations in full. We need your help.

Here’s how you can help

Supporters should contact their MP and ask their MP to show their backing for the Fan-led Review by writing to Nadine Dorries, the secretary of state for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). MPs should ask the minister for a firm commitment that legislation supporting the full implementation of the Fan-led Review will definitely be in the Queen’s Speech (which sets the upcoming agenda for Parliament and would commit the Government to review legislation).

Action:

• Find your MP’s contact details here: members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP
• BCC the FSA so we can see which MPs have been contacted: [email protected]

MPs are more likely to engage with personally written emails from their constituents but we have provided some guidance below which you can use and/or rewrite into your own style.

What should I say to my MP?

Say who you are and where you live. Be polite. If you support a club in (or around) your MPs constituency then namecheck your team (and any related problems).

Ask your MP to write to Nadine Dorries, the secretary of state for the DCMS, and ask the minister for a firm commitment that legislation supporting the full implementation of the Fan-led Review will be in the upcoming Queen’s Speech.

Point out that football has had many opportunities to self-regulate and has not taken them. The Government’s Fan-led Review manifesto commitment was welcome and it should now deliver upon the recommendations of the report (you might wish to include them, see below).

Thank your MP and encourage them to read Tracey Crouch’s Fan-led Review of Football Governance which can be downloaded from the DCMS website. 

BCC the FSA ([email protected]) so we can see which MPs have been contacted. While it’s better to contact MPs via email we realise some people will prefer to use Twitter – tag @WeAreTheFSA as we’d be interested to join in those discussions.

Fan-led Review recommendations

• Governance: an independent regulator for football (IREF) which has the necessary investigative and enforcement powers needed to prevent the recurrence of such developments as the European Super League.
• Finance: football’s model is unsustainable with too many clubs making losses. Pre-emptive action is needed and a regulator will impose stronger financial controls.
• Engagement: proposals to embed democratic supporter organisations and engagement within the heart of domestic football.
• Heritage: football stadiums, club badges, location, colours and competitions all deserve special protections. Fans to have a veto on these assets at every club via a “golden share” which is held by a democratic, legally-constituted fan group.
• Reform: half of the FA Board should be made up of independent non-executive directors, to reduce elite club influence. The review also recommends reform of the FA Council.
• Distribution: the removal of restrictions on FA spending meaning more money redirected towards grassroots, non-league and women’s football.
• Equality: equality, diversity and inclusion plans should be mandatory for all clubs.
• Women’s game: a recommendation that a new review is set up to specifically explore the challenges facing the women’s game. Those challenges may or may not require a different approach to the men’s game but they must be examined thoroughly and independently.

Are you from a supporters’ group?

How about trying to arrange a joint letter with your club, county FA or other fan groups to your local MP? That will make an impact. You could try and engage the local media to show why the Fan-led Review matters at your club and publicise your correspondence? If you’d like support we’d be more than happy to discuss those or any other ideas.