Football Governance Bill, to include parachute payments, is set to be reintroduced in the UK Parliament

The updated Football Governance Bill is set to be reintroduced in the UK Parliament, bringing several significant changes to address financial and governance issues within football. Initially introduced under the Conservative Government, the revised Bill now comes under Labour, focusing on crucial aspects such as parachute payments for relegated clubs, fan engagement, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) standards, and club financial transparency. The Bill also addresses the controversial powers of the proposed football regulator and the distribution of television revenue.

The updated Bill aims to assess parachute payments granted to clubs relegated to the Championship as part of ensuring financial stability across football. The Government argues that excluding these payments would hinder the regulator’s capability to evaluate financial health. These payments will only be investigated if they present a systemic risk to financial sustainability. Moreover, the Bill stipulates clubs to engage effectively with fans on ticket pricing and enhance transparency in achieving EDI standards. Another major shift is the removal of a clause that tied club takeover evaluations to the Government’s trade and foreign policy objectives, safeguarding the regulator’s independence.

*The Premier League* expressed concerns over the proposed regulator, stating “unprecedented and untested powers to intervene in the distribution of top-flight revenue. Talks between the Premier League and the EFL regarding a ‘New Deal’ on television revenue distribution have been paused since March. It is also pleasing that the State of the Game report, which will provide the objective and independent basis for the new regulator’s work, will be delivered within 18 months. We look forward, in collaboration with our clubs, to making a significant contribution to this important piece of work.”

*Fair Game* has endorsed the amendments to the Bill but expressed reservations, stating “Football reform organisation Fair Game has largely endorsed the amendments to the Bill but believes it still falls short in ensuring equitable financial distribution. EDI needs to be lived and breathed by the clubs if this Bill is to achieve the aim of removing biases and systemic obstacles to black footballers’ progression off the pitch.”