Labour promise to “give football fans a voice in club boardrooms”

The Labour Party today (Monday 13^th April 2015) launched its party manifesto and promised to “give football fans a voice in club boardrooms”.

Labour said: “Sport brings us together in an expression of our local and national pride. It is where young people learn about leadership, teamwork, the pursuit of excellence and strength of character. With a Labour Government our children will participate in a minimum of two hours of organised sport every week at school.

“Football clubs are an important part of many people’s identity and sense of belonging. They are more than just businesses. But despite their importance in the lives of their members and supporters, too often there are no effective means for fans to have a say in how their clubs are run.

“Labour will provide the means for supporters to be a genuine part of their clubs. We will introduce legislation to enable accredited supporters trusts to appoint and remove at least two of the directors of a football club and to purchase shares when the club changes hands. We will also review the role of fan participation in other sports.

“We will ensure the Premier League delivers on its promise to invest five per cent of its domestic and international television rights income into funding the grassroots.”

FSF response

The Football Supporters’ Federation welcomes any proposals from political parties that aim to strengthen the voice of football fans.

Whether its ticket prices, ownership, diversity, or safe standing, supporters must be involved in reform of the game. Football fans should have a voice in the boardroom.

Grassroots football must not be forgotten either, and we’d like to see the Premier League deliver on its promise to invest 5% of its income into grassroots projects.

Supporters are the lifeblood of the game and their views must be heard by the decision makers within the clubs and the authorities.