Thank you for contacting me about the proposals for a European Super League, and about the role of fans in determining how the clubs they support are run.
Like you, I was appalled to learn that a number of clubs from across Europe, including six currently competing in the Premier League, signed up to proposals for a European Super League.
Football is at the heart of communities right across the country and the proposals put forward would have created a closed shop of elite clubs at the top of the game – creating a league based on wealth and brand recognition rather than upon merit. I am delighted that the English clubs involved have now moved to formally withdraw from the competition, following pressure from fans, the Government and the Prime Minister, and other key stakeholders.
Following the initial announcement that Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham planned to join a European Super League, I was delighted that the Government and the Prime Minister moved so quickly to examine all the possible routes to block the move, including through legislative mechanisms.
The steps taken by the hierarchy of these clubs does, however, demonstrate that a review into football governance should be an absolute priority. In the 2019 General Election, I stood on a Manifesto commitment to establish a fan-led review of football governance, and I welcome that this review has now formally been triggered. As noted by the Culture Secretary, this review will be a root-and-branch examination of football in this country. It will cover the financial sustainability of the men’s and women’s game, financial flows through the pyramid, governance regulation and the merits of an independent regulator. Crucially, in light of the proposals for a European Super League, it will also consider how fans can have an even greater say in the oversight of the game. Further details about the review can be found by searching: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fan-led-review-of-football-g….
I understand that many people are calling for a German-style ownership of football clubs in the UK, whereby the club (and by extension fans) hold a majority of the voting rights. I am unaware of any specific legislative proposals to introduce such a rule, but I do welcome that a fan-led review of football governance has now been triggered. This review will examine governance regulation and the merits of an independent regulator. It will also consider how fans can have an even greater oversight of the game. In addition, I welcome the Culture Secretary’s commitment that the fan-led review will consider a system whereby fans are given the chance to buy a stake in their club.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
