Latest news with #FootballRegulator
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Premier League gets government concession over regulator financial distribution deal
The government has made a late concession to the Premier League by agreeing to let English football's new independent regulator impose a compromise financial distribution deal on the game, as opposed to having to pick one of two proposals. With Sir Keir Starmer's government enjoying a huge majority in the House of Commons, only government-backed amendments to the Football Governance Bill that will create the regulator are likely to be approved. The government has put forward only one real amendment to the bill before Thursday's deadline for proposals but it is perhaps the most significant change to how the regulator will operate since Labour introduced its version of the bill last year. The most contentious part of the bill relates to the so-called 'backstop' mechanism for settling rows between the Premier League and English Football League over money, with the original idea being that the two parties would present final offers to the regulator and it would then choose the offer it believed would best deliver sustainability throughout the pyramid. Advertisement This approach, however, has been strongly criticised by many Premier League clubs. In one of her many speeches against the bill during its passage through the House of Lords, West Ham United vice-chair Baroness Brady described it as 'legally untested pendulum arbitration' that 'throws all the pieces of the pyramid up into the air, with huge uncertainty as to where they may land'. While she failed to explain how this calamity might unfold, four highly distinguished members of the upper house did propose an amendment to the bill that would give the regulator the power to pick one of the leagues' proposals, part of a proposal, a blend of the proposals or even make its 'own determination'. The government did not back that amendment at the relevant stage in the House of Lords process but has now decided Lords Birt, Burns, Pannick and Thomas of Cwmgiedd were right. So, what was called the 'binary final offer model' will be replaced by a 'staged regulator determination'. What this means in practice is if, for example, the EFL asks the regulator to settle a dispute over the size of parachute payments by triggering the backstop, the regulator will start the process by consulting the Football Association to make sure this is an issue that is within the regulator's scope. A mediator will then be appointed to lead talks between the parties, with the goal being a negotiated settlement. If that remains elusive the leagues will then be asked to make initial suggestions, with evidence that their proposal meets the regulator's goal of creating a resilient pyramid. Both leagues will be expected to base their proposals on the findings of the State of the Game Report that the regulator will conduct within 18 months of its creation and then repeat at five-year intervals. The regulator will review these proposals, provide feedback, ask for any additional evidence that may be needed and give the leagues a last chance to amend their offers. Advertisement It is at this point where the new amendment really changes things, as the regulator will now be able to come up with its own view of how much money relegated clubs should receive in the Championship if it does not agree with either of the leagues' proposals. While this change does address one of the Premier League's main complaints, it also represents a significant increase in the regulator's powers, which seems like a pyrrhic victory for the top flight given its expensive, four-year lobbying campaign to stop the regulator from ever happening. It does, however, demonstrate that the government has listened to industry concerns and, in a rare case of a compromise pleasing everyone, the amendment should be welcomed by the EFL, FA, National League and all other interested parties. But, as the government's preferred candidate to chair the regulator, media executive David Kogan, put it, the real intention is that nobody will trigger the 'nuclear option' of the backstop at all. 'I prefer to think of it more as a sort of tactical weapon,' he told MPs on the Culture, Media and Sports Committee earlier this month. 'You don't use nuclear options, because if you do, well, you all die. I see it as tactical weapon but it is one I would urge the world of football not to invoke. 'There is probably at least a year where there is time for football to agree among themselves, and the more they agree among themselves, the less we have to be involved.' ()
The Star
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Soccer-UK government announces Kogan as preferred candidate to head football regulator
(Reuters) -The British government announced David Kogan on Friday as its preferred candidate for chair of the proposed independent football regulator. The Football Governance Bill is currently going through Parliament, which would establish a regulator with the power to tackle rogue owners and directors, implement a licensing regime and monitor club finances. Kogan has had a 45-year career as a media executive, business leader and corporate adviser and negotiated several TV rights deals on behalf of sporting bodies such as the Premier League and English Football League. "David brings with him a wealth of expertise from the sport and media industries having worked across a number of high-profile governing bodies," Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy said. "This will be a vital, public role to ensure sensible, light-touch regulation helps to strengthen financial sustainability and put fans back at the heart of the game." Kogan, a former managing director of Reuters Television and has co-founded both Reel Enterprises and the Women's Sports Group, has also advised UEFA, the NFL, and the Six Nations. "Across the country millions of us share a passion for football, a game that is not only part of our national heritage but one of our most valuable cultural exports," Kogan said. "That's why as both a supporter and someone with many years spent working in football, I am honoured to have been asked to be the preferred candidate for chair of the newly created Independent Football Regulator." The government said the bill will establish the independent football regulator and a new set of rules to protect clubs, along with empowering fans and keeping clubs at the heart of their communities. Kogan will appear before a committee of lawmakers for pre-appointment scrutiny. (Reporting by Trevor StynesEditing by Christian Radnedge)
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
National League clubs launch new campaign for extra promotion place
The National League clubs are pushing for a third promotion place to the English Football League, as part of a new campaign called '3UP'. The move has been supported by all 72 clubs across the level's three divisions, with a letter now sent to the EFL requesting a vote on the issue. The National League is specifically pointing out that it is the only 'step' in the top tiers of English football that doesn't have at least three promotion places. While there is some sympathy for that position within the EFL, it is offset by extreme concern among a lot of clubs over cost control issues at that stage of non-league. There is a feeling that such a change without complementary financial reform could have a further destabilising effect on the pyramid, and that at a point when discussions are ongoing over both the independent football regulator and a post-Covid financial package from the Premier League. The National League also pointed to the regulator in their own Extraordinary General Meeting on Thursday 30 January, where senior representatives from across the three divisions of National League, National League North and National League South unanimously agreed to collectively approach the EFL. The request is for the body to consider scheduling a vote on '3UP' at their own Annual General Meeting in June. The feeling among the 72 National League clubs is that 'the timing is right' due to coming introduction of the Independent Football Regulator. National League Chair Jack Pearce MBE said: 'This summer, the Independent Football Regulator is scheduled to be introduced. Their overall stated objectives include providing financial sustainability, economic resilience and preserving the heritage of the sport. 'In terms of heritage, National League clubs are at the heart of towns and cities across the whole country. The majority of these clubs are over a century old and part of the fabric of their communities. An extra promotion place for these clubs into the EFL would create an invaluable aspiration for all these clubs and supporters - plus clubs in the leagues below. We simply can't wait any longer for parity within the game. 'As well as increased financial stability, 3UP would mean a fluid football pyramid where teams can win promotion from the bottom to the top fairly. It will give more opportunity to clubs relegated from EFL League 2 to 'bounce back'. We have consulted with the leagues below ours in Step 3 who are also supportive of this change - as their clubs could benefit from this change in the long term. 'We have been consistently told that the EFL support our 3UP position in principle but are reluctant to progress any changes whilst they are consulting with the IFR and Premier League regards their own redistribution of football income. 'However, we believe the 3UP campaign goal is vital to the overall health of the game and the government's objectives - therefore it should be as high on the agenda as any other matter this year. Otherwise, the National League's needs are being overlooked during the IFR process, not least because the specific issues between the EFL and PL could potentially take years to reach a conclusion. 'Whilst we recognise and respect the EFL's verbal support for the National League on three promotions, our clubs have now made it abundantly clear that they see no reason for a further delay on the official process. Rick Parry, the EFL Chair, has often said that 'the EFL should look down as well as up' so we'd now like that to actually happen.' An EFL Spokesperson said: 'Recognising the strength of the pyramid, the League has been consistent in its commitment to looking both upwards and down when considering future changes. As such, we remain willing to consider changes to the current position on promotion and relegation in the EFL, but these discussions must be part of a broader package of reforms which benefit all levels of the game.'
