GOVERNANCE IS NO GEM... MORE LIKE OFGEM

LUCY FRAZER, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, was at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road ground yesterday.

The Tory minister (left) was talking about the imminent first reading in parliament of the Football Governance Bill.

Hours later, the Premier League posted a social media message, saying: “The Premier League has provided £2.25m investment to @leytonorientfc over the last 12 months.

“They’re one of thousands of clubs to benefit, we’re proud of the impact this funding has.” Either a coincidence or a pointed suggestion that the Premier League sees no need for a football regulator.

And if the latter was the case, when you look at the performance of other government-appointed regulatory bodies, the Premier League would have a point.

Anyone liking what Ofgem – the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets – is doing? How are your energy bills? Can’t imagine the Office of Rail and Road would get too many plaudits either.

The appointment of an independent regulator is government intervention and when was the last time that was a good thing? Especially from this clueless lot.

If you haven’t got serious reservations about this Football Governance Bill, you haven’t been watching politicians and regulators in operation over years and years.

But there will be a so-called independent football regulator.

And if – and it is a big ‘if’ – the regulator concentrates mainly on representing the interests of fans, both match-going and non-match-going, then it might be a positive thing.

But don’t hold your breath.