Posted on 21st October 2022
Sports minister Stuart Andrew was yesterday pressed in Parliament by MPs to continue the Fan-led Review of Football Governance – and he confirmed his belief that “reform is needed”.
Labour MP Clive Betts was up first and said he wanted to “push the minister a little further” and encouraged the Government to accept the recommendations which flowed from the Fan-led Review.
“There is widespread support for the fan-led review,” said Betts. “Can we have a commitment from the front bench team that they are going to implement the principles of the review – an independent regulator, fairer distribution of funding and an end to parachute payments?”
The minister responded by reiterating his commitment to the FSA that he would publish the Government’s White Paper.
Conservative MP Scott Benton followed up by asking if there had been any recent discussions between the minister, Premier League and EFL “to encourage a fairer distribution of money throughout the football league pyramid?”
The sports minister said: “The secretary of state [Michelle Donelan MP] has met both organisations [and] my first engagement was with the Football Supporters’ Association. It is right to listen to all those views, and we are aware of discussions that are happening across the various groups, but I recognise that reform is needed. That is the firmest commitment I can give at this stage.”
In a letter to the FSA, Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston has confirmed that ‘at no stage’ did the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) offer ongoing to support to the National League only in the form of grants.
Sports minister Stuart Andrew today presented to Parliament what he called “the most radical overhaul of football governance since the rules were first invented back in 1863.” The proposals cover key issues around ownership, breakaway competitions, grassroots funding and supporter engagement.
The Football Supporters’ Association today facilitated a meeting with Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston which included representatives from Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, Chelsea Women Supporters Group and Chelsea Pride.
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston today faced questions from MPs on the fan-led review into football governance and the wider role of Russian money in the ownership of football clubs.
