FA meet to discuss plan for independent regulator

THE FA are to hold talks at St George’s Park today over the Government’s plans to introduce an independent regulator. The governing body will convene for a board meeting and their approach to the next phase of the proposed plans is expected to be on the agenda. The Government are committed to establishing an independent body to protect English football after approving recommendations made in a fan-led review. The proposed regulator’s powers will include the ability to sanction clubs who break financial and other rules. The plans yesterday met with opposition from the Premier League, who said in a statement that they ‘recognise and accept the case for reform’ but believe a regulator ‘is not necessary’. There is a feeling within the FA that they could fill the role of regulator themselves if they could agree with stakeholders and the Government on various governance issues and on who would fill the key positions within that hierarchy.