England’s Champions League places at risk over Starmer’s plan say papers | OneFootball

England’s participation in the Champions League is at risk if Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer moves ahead with plans for an independent football regulator, according to a warning from Uefa, as filtered through the lens of many papers today.

The potential consequences of such reforms could see English clubs banned from competing in Europe’s elite club competition, further intensifying tensions between Uefa and the UK government, or so they claim.

Italy’s former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon shows the paper slip of Arsenal (ENG) during the group stage of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League football tournament, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on August 29, 2024. (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

Theodore Theodoridis, Uefa’s general secretary, recently sent a letter to culture secretary Lisa Nandy, allegedly expressing grave concerns about the proposed legislation to introduce a football regulator.

A number of papers said he cautioned that the move could amount to government interference, which violates Uefa’s core principles of sporting autonomy. “No government interference in running football” was a central message in Theodoridis’ letter.

Uefa’s independence concerns

According to The Sunday Times, the leaked letter detailed Theodoridis’ concerns regarding the potential powers of the proposed regulator, which would oversee clubs in England’s top five leagues. The King’s Speech outlined Labour’s commitment to this plan, setting the stage for possible legislative action.

Theodoridis specifically pointed to proposals that would require club owners to consider UK government trade and foreign policy objectives when making decisions. These could include limitations on foreign investments or restrictions on where clubs can play friendly matches abroad. Uefa fears this could damage its governing authority over European football and destabilise international competition structures.

Additionally, the paper said the letter raised concerns about the introduction of a club licensing system, which Uefa believes could inspire other nations to set up their own regulatory bodies, thus weakening Uefa’s influence.

Threat to England’s Champions League places

(Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

The potential for state interference in football governance led Theodoridis to highlight the ultimate consequence—excluding English clubs from European competitions, most notably the Champions League. If Uefa views the new regulator as overstepping its boundaries, it could ban England’s top clubs from competing in the continent’s most prestigious tournament.

This would, of course, be a devastating blow to England’s footballing stature. The Premier League is widely regarded as the most lucrative and competitive domestic league in the world, with English clubs consistently featuring in the later stages of the Champions League and Arsenal recently returning to the competition. Exclusion would not only affect the financial health of these clubs but also damage the league’s global appeal.

It is a potent threat, even if it is unlikely to materialise as a statement from the FSA revealed.

Premier League opposition

While the Football Association (FA), England’s governing football body, has expressed support for the idea of a regulator, the Premier League reportedly remains firmly opposed.

Government response

Nandy has yet to formally respond to Uefa’s letter, but she is expected to do so soon. According to The Times, her department has made it clear that establishing a football regulator remains a “top priority” and aims to put fans at the centre of the game’s governance.

A government spokesperson assured that the proposed regulator would not affect England’s participation in Uefa tournaments but declined to provide specific details.