Football: Independent Regulator for England
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The Government has accepted, in principle, the establishment of an independent regulator for football in England, in line with the recommendation of the fan-led review of football governance chaired by the former Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch.
Crouch stated that football needs such a regulator to:
“stop it lurching from crisis to crisis.”
The UK Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries, commented as follows:
“Football requires a strong independent regulator to secure the future of our national game.”
And added:
“The Government will now work at a pace to determine the most effective way to deliver an independent regulator, and any powers that might be needed.”
The Shadow Culture Secretary, Jo Stevens, called for all the football review committee recommendations to be accepted by the Government “immediately”.
The appointment of an independent football regulator, to a certain extent, raises the question of the role of the English FA (Football Association) as a governing body.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
