Regulator on the way, but dominance of Big Six stays

GARY NEVILLE has urged the Government to implement the full menu of Tracey Crouch’s Review on Football, with the historic announcement that English football will finally get an independent regulator expected on February 8.

In a seismic change to the way the game is governed, Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan will announce a White Paper — the prelude to Government legislation — which will bring about the much-vaunted football regulator, though there are fears that it will be too weak to impact the power of the Premier League.

It is expected to say that its intention is to ensure there isn’t another catastrophic financial event such as Derby County or Bury being placed into administration, and so to focus on cost control and financial regulation.

Crouch’s plans to give fans a golden share in clubs, to prevent a future Super League breakaway or clubs changing their names or home ground are not expected to make the cut.

Yet Government sources insist that there will be a legislative block on clubs making such major changes unless they are agreed with fans — meaning an effective legal block on any future Super League.

The Premier League have been told if they can sort out a new financial deal with the EFL, they could avoid heavy-touch regulation.

Any deal will need to come close to EFL chairman Rick Parry’s demand for 25 per cent of all TV revenue to go to EFL clubs and for parachute payments to be abolished so there isn’t such a huge cliff edge between the leagues.

If the Premier League don’t deliver that, a regulator is likely to impose a deal in 2024, which may be to the EFL’s advantage

But Neville has called on the Government to implement all of Crouch’s recommendations, ensuring that there are tighter restrictions on ownership, better policing of fit and proper directors, a new deal for women’s football, significant representation for fans in clubs and governing bodies and a drive towards diversity.

Neville said: ‘The Crouch review made it clear that it needed to be taken as a set menu, not as an a la carte menu, with the Government picking off the bits they like. People focus on the financial settlement between the Premier League and the EFL and that is important.

‘But this is a massive opportunity to reset the game and make it stronger for the next 20-30 years and it will fall through the cracks if they pick and choose.’

Liverpool and Manchester United fan groups SOS (Spirit of Shankly) and MUST (Manchester United Supporters’ Trust) last week called for stronger rules on club ownership, with both clubs on the market at present and with fears that they will be sold before any new rules come into effect.

But the Government has previously indicated that it won’t outlaw sovereign states, no matter how controversial, owning clubs and is likely to want to encourage investment, leaving many to question whether the regulator will have any significant impact on the landscape of the English game and the dominance of the Big Six.