REFORM OR FACE DISASTER
Crouch warns English football is at crossroads as fan-led review calls for changes to save beautiful game
ENGLISH football has been warned that it is at a “crossroads” – and must make “stark choices” to avoid disaster.
Former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch’s fan-led review into governance has spelt out 47 key recommendations, with the main proposal demanding the Government appoint an Independent Regulator for English football.
Crouch (above) said: “The review has formed the firm belief that our national game is at a crossroads, with the proposed European Super League just one of many, albeit the most recent and clearest, illustrations of deep-seated problems in the game.
“I believe there is a stark choice facing football in this country. As was remarked to the review, for all the good owners in the game, clubs are only one bad owner away from disaster.”
The 162-page document has warned the men’s game stands at a “financial precipice” and “fans have lost faith” in the way clubs and the game is run.
Other recommendations were:
■ GOLDEN shares given to supporters to allow them to veto changes to club badges, stadium moves and entering competitions like the ESL in future.
■ FAN engagement with plans for a “shadow board” to give them a greater say on ticket prices and replica kits
■ INDEPENDENT Regulator for English Football should be appointed by the Government to stop any threat of the ESL happening again
■ NEW “fit-and-proper-persons” test to replace the existing system, which would also include an “integrity” test on potential owners and “real time” financial checks to stop another club, such as Bury, going out of business.
■ PARACHUTE payments must be overhauled from the current system as it “distorts the market”, with relegated clubs getting £40million a season and the Premier League and EFL given until the end of the year to find a better system - or they must get “external advice” on finding a solution.
■ BOOZE should be allowed back within sight of the pitch on a trial basis for League Two and National League clubs as non-league clubs lose up to £100,000 a year in sales, plus it would stop binge-drinking before games.
■ WOMEN’S football to be treated “with parity” plus plans for equality, diversity and inclusion within football.
It highlighted Premier League clubs suffering pre-tax losses of £960m in 2019/20, with greater losses expected in 2020/21 because of the pandemic, with wages spiralling out of control.
The report was also given evidence that “Birmingham City is currently £100m in debt”, alleged the Championship club “breached profit and sustainability rules”, while Reading spent approximately twice its revenue on wages in 2019/20 and Derby has gone into administration.
Crouch said: “Real-time financial monitoring, assessment of owners and owners will be tested on a three-year basis rather than just once and never again. If this had been in place, you wouldn’t have seen Bury disappear or Derby in the position they are in now.
“Clubs chase success, but not necessarily with money they have, they gamble on the future of the club.
“It’s quite simple: do you have the money in the bank or don’t you?”
Crouch added: “Past and present Sports Ministers have often said, ‘Football is in the last chance saloon’.
“The saloon should be closed. Now is the time for an independent regulator to take on the reform that fans have been crying out for.”
I hope this review protects the good and special TRACEY CROUCH
REVOLUTIONARY proposals for English football were put forward in a long-awaited Government review yesterday.
Fans’ groups would be awarded a “golden share”, giving them legal powers over key decisions by clubs.
The legislation would mean they could prevent another Super League.
In April the attempted breakaway by Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester City ignited fury.
Former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch, chair of the review panel, warned clubs were only “one bad owner away” from disaster if reforms were not introduced.
She said: “I hope this review protects the good and the special but sets a clear course for a stronger national game with the interests of fans at its heart.” The golden share would give supporters on a “shadow board” new powers to veto changes to the heritage of their clubs.
It would give them a say on ground moves and changes to team colours or badge, ticket and replica kit prices.
An independent regulator would ensure an ownership and director test.
That recommendation follows the furore over the sale of Newcastle United to a Saudi consortium.
The £305million sale to the group led by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman comes despite the country’s human rights record. The test would check “the integrity and reputation of any close family member or business associate of the proposed owner”.
Independent directors would also oversee major changes by owners.
Regular financial checks would ensure clubs do not go bust, the review added. Grassroots clubs could soon benefit from a levy on Premier League transfers, although no amount was stipulated.
Just 10% would have earned lower leagues £160m annually over the past five years, the report claimed.
The report states: “Given the vast wealth at the top of football... it is not unreasonable the PL supports wider football to an even greater level.”
The review follows contributions from fans of more than 130 clubs. Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters’ Association, heralded it as “potentially a huge step forward for football governance”, adding the review had listened to fans.
He said: “It is up to the Government to deliver on the recommendations.
“The proposals lay the basis for a prosperous and sustainable future for football at all levels.” The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee chair Julian Knight MP said: “For too long professional football has operated with a disregard for fans and for the most basic good business practice.” He urged the reforms to be included in the next Queen’s Speech. The Premier League said it recognised the importance of fans and the need “to restore and retain trust”. jeremy.armstrong@mirror.co.uk