Football clubs told to stop taking fans for granted
Sports Secretary Lucy Frazer has blunt message for top clubs.
Top football clubs must stop “taking their loyal fans for granted”, a senior minister says.
Sports Secretary Lucy Frazer says the game has “deep-rooted problems” that need to be tackled urgently.
These include financial mismanagement, with a wave of clubs set to face bankruptcy unless changes are made.
And she condemned the aborted attempt by six clubs to join a European Super League in 2021. Writing in the Sunday Express, Ms Frazer said: “If we want our national game to prosper for decades to come, and want a better deal for fans, something has to change.
“Looking at club finances, we can see the losses and debts are starting to rise significantly, so we can expect more administrations if we don’t act.”
Don't miss...
Home Office works through list of names as 200 set for first Rwanda flight [LATEST]
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock's bid to help dyslexic children [LATEST]
Eurostar chaos fears as new EU travel rules come in [LATEST]
Rishi Sunak can win general election if he wins in the Midlands says Tory mayor [LATEST]
The Government wants an independent regulator for men’s football to have the power to stop clubs joining breakaway leagues or selling stadiums. The policies, included in the proposed Football Governance Bill, follow clashes between clubs and fans.
Manchester United supporters have protested against the owners and the move of some season ticket holders from their seats.
Reading fans have called on owner Dai Yongge to sell the club, and West Ham supporters protested against quitting Upton Park in favour of the 2012 Olympic Stadium. There is still anger over Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Spurs announcing they were to join a European Super League.
Concerns have also been raised about financial management after Derby County, Wigan Athletic and Bury entered administration.
Don't miss...
Labour set for civil war if Angela Rayner forced to quit over council house row [LATEST]
Yvette Cooper vows crackdown on violence against women after horrific killings [LATEST]
Andy Cole marches for justice for victims of poor financial advice [LATEST]
Children struggle to achieve good GCSE grades due to 'absence crisis' [LATEST]
Ms Frazer said: “When I’ve spoken to supporters’ groups, the message has been loud and clear: clubs and owners are taking their loyal fans for granted.” But the proposed regulator has received a mixed response.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “We’re asking MPs and peers to look at the Bill very carefully, and to look at it with a dispassionate head on.”
The FA said: “We welcome the commitment to strengthen independent financial regulation in football.”