This independent review is a comprehensive examination of the English football system with the aim of exploring ways of improving the governance, ownership and financial sustainability of clubs in the football pyramid, building on the strengths and benefits that our great game already provides the nation.
Following extensive engagement with fans and stakeholders across the whole football community the final report and recommendations of the Fan-Led Review of Football Governance has been published here.
King's Lynn Town FC and Norwich City and other clubs are at the heart of our local communities. They have a unique social value and many possess great history and legacy. Fans are at the centre of our national game, which is why the government committed to a fan led review of football governance in our manifesto.
In April this year, the government launched a comprehensive examination of the English football system with the aim to explore ways of improving the governance, ownership and financial sustainability of clubs in the football pyramid, building on the strengths and benefits of the game.
Today the government has published the final Report, based on over 100 hours of engagement with Supporters’ Trusts, fan groups, women’s football representatives, football authorities, club owners, players representatives, and underrepresented interest groups, alongside over 20,000 fans responding to an online survey. The report is extensive, so the government will now be considering the detailed recommendations ahead of a full response.
This is a detailed examination of the challenges faced by English football. To address this systemic challenge, the Review presents the following ten Strategic Recommendations, which are accompanied in the Report by detailed sub-recommendations:
- to ensure the long-term sustainability of football, the government should create a new Independent Regulator for English Football
- to ensure financial sustainability of the professional game, the Independent Regulator for English Football should oversee financial regulation in football
- new owners’ and directors’ tests for clubs should be established by the Independent Regulator for English football replacing the three existing tests and ensuring that only good custodians and qualified directors can run these vital assets
- football needs a new approach to corporate governance to support a long-term sustainable future of the game
- football needs to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in clubs with committed Equality, Diversity and inclusion Action Plans regularly assessed by the Independent Regulator for English Football
- as a uniquely important stakeholder, supporters should be properly consulted by their clubs in taking key decisions by means of a shadow board
- football clubs are a vital part of their local communities. In recognition of this there should be additional protection for key items of club heritage
- fair distributions are vital to the long term health of football. The Premier League should guarantee its support to the pyramid and make additional, proportionate contributions to further support football
- women’s football should be treated with parity and given its own dedicated review
- as an urgent matter, the welfare of players exiting the game needs to be better protected — particularly at a young age
The government has welcomed the work of the Review and will now consider the detailed recommendations ahead of providing a full government response in Spring 2022.
There is much in the report which James looks forward to considering to ensure it benefits fans and club.
The Review is a detailed piece of work that will require a substantive response and plan of action from across government.
