Boris backs independent regulator – but delays could be ‘catastrophic’

Tracey Crouch says the government's endorsement of the fan-led review she chaired is "an enormous step forward" for major reform in football, but says the unspecified timeframe for implementing change is "worrying" for clubs and fans alike.

The government has given its formal support to the 10 key strategic recommendations set out in the review, published last November.

These include the creation of an independent regulator to ensure the financial sustainability of the game, greater consultation with fans via shadow boards, additional protections for key items of club heritage and fairer distribution of money from the top of the game down the football pyramid. It also includes a commitment to work with relevant football bodies and the police to consider the safety and economic case for piloting the sale and consumption of alcohol in sight of the pitch at matches in the men's lower leagues.

Crouch said: "I am exceptionally pleased it (the government) has accepted or supported all the strategic recommendations of the review, including committing to legislation for a statutory independent regulator which will regulate financial resilience as well as ownership of clubs.

"This is an enormous step forward in providing muchneeded reform for football.

"I am also very pleased by the commitment to a review of women's football, as well as to the long overdue review of the outdated legislation relating to football supporters and the sale of alcohol. While fans will be reassured by the commitment to an independent regulator and its powers, they will remain nervous that this commitment will be delayed or watered down by the vested and conflicted interests in the game which have resisted the much-needed reform for so long.

"Fans fully recognise the complexities of the recommended reforms, but the unspecified timeframe for implementation due to a white paper at some point in the summer is worrying.

"Further delays could be catastrophic for clubs, communities, and fans seeking a more secure and certain regulatory environment."

The government supports the idea of a regulator backed by primary legislation to provide it with statutory powers to license and sanction clubs and have financial oversight of their operations to ensure they are sustainable.