Sunday Express

COMMENT ‘Protect game millions love’

- By Lucy Frazer CULTURE SECRETARY

FOOTBALL is one of our great national institutio­ns. For countless people it is more than just a sport.

It is part of our identity, and as Culture Secretary, I’ve seen its unique power to bring not just families and friends together, but communitie­s.

There is a great deal to admire about our national game. We have a proud footballin­g heritage that stretches back over a century.

But there are deep-rooted problems within football.

Since the Premier League was launched in 1992, we have seen 64 instances of clubs falling into administra­tion. In places like Derby, Wigan, Bury and Macclesfie­ld, communitie­s have had to watch on, powerlessl­y, as their clubs either went to the wall or narrowly avoided it.

And looking at club finances, we can see the losses and debts are starting to rise significan­tly, so we can expect more administra­tions.

But the problems go beyond financial mismanagem­ent. We have seen top-tier clubs attempting to join breakaway leagues. Owners relocate clubs to entirely different regions. Teams change the club badge or shirt colours without giving fans a say.

When I’ve spoken to supporters’ groups, the message has been loud and clear: clubs and owners are taking their fans for granted.

Teams have to be run sustainabl­y and owners need to be responsibl­e custodians.

The Football Governance

Bill will establish an independen­t regulator to put fans back at the heart of the game.

A core part will be a new licensing regime for clubs in the top five tiers to ensure finances are run sustainabl­y. That will be accompanie­d by a requiremen­t for approval if owners plan to sell or relocate their stadium. But most importantl­y, the regulator has the power to ensure clubs engage properly with fans.

By taking a proportion­ate approach and avoiding red tape, the new regulator will strengthen the foundation­s of football and protect the game millions of us love.

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