Trust Chair Keith Morgan looks back on the contents of the major Fan-Led Review of Football
At the end of November 2021 the report on a Fan-Led Review of football was published which has subsequently been discussed in Parliament and received widespread support from all political parties. It is hoped/anticipated that the report will be implemented and passed into law in the next Queen’s Speech.
The review was headed by Tracey Crouch MP but, more importantly, had a major involvement of fans through the Football Supporters ‘Association (FSA) with input into its drafting by over 130 clubs, including input from CCST.
The major recommendations of the report were as follows
- The appointment of an Independent Regulator of football to oversee its running on the basis that the football authorities have lost the trust and confidence of fans
- A mandatory (legally binding) requirement of clubs to engage with their fans on a structured basis. This will include two key recommendations
- The granting of a “Golden Share” to fans with the power to veto certain club decisions impacting on fans
- The formation of a “Shadow Board” made up of elected fans` groups to be consulted by clubs on “all material off-field matters”. Discussions will be subject to commercial confidentiality but most matters will be considered suitable to disclose to the fans they represent
- A better distribution of Premier League riches down through the football pyramid, doing away with “parachute payments” and replacing them with a greater levy on Premier League clubs with a better distribution down through the leagues below. The aim is to achieve longer term financial stability for clubs
- Improvement of diversity and equality in the game
This report is not just a subject for idle discussion. It has the support of all parties in Parliament and is being championed by Tracey Crouch MP (a former Sports Minister), the current Sports Minister Nigel Huddlestone and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden MP. Not a single MP when put to Parliament objected to the idea of an Independent Regulator.
If implemented next year, which seems almost certain, the law will apply to all levels of football from the National League upwards.
The above is just a brief summary of the position. A full version of the report can be found on the FSA website https://thefsa.org.uk/news/fan-led-review-is-a-huge-step-forward/ .The Trust will keep its members updated as developments occur.