MPs vote to establish independent English football regulator | OneFootball

MPs have backed plans to establish an independent regulator to oversee the top five tiers of the men’s game in England.

The Football Governance Bill is poised to become law after receiving a substantial majority of 415 votes in favour to 98 against, per BBC Sport.

The regulator, which will be independent from government and football authorities, will ensure clubs are run sustainably and are accountable to their supporters.

The new body will also possess backstop powers to impose financial settlements between the Premier League and the English Football League (EFL) if the two fail to reach an agreement independently.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said: “We promised in our manifesto that we would end years of inaction and make the changes that fans have fought for for so long and are so overdue.

“I am proud to be part of the winning team that has put our fans back on the pitch at the heart of the game where they belong.”

The Conservative government initially introduced the Football Governance Bill in March 2024, but it didn’t pass through parliament before a general election was called in May.

The new Labour government revived the bill in July last year, framing it as a manifesto promise to fans.

Nandy gave a passionate speech in the House of Commons, saying football supporters had waited long enough for a government to protect clubs from rogue owners.

She namechecked Bury, Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday as examples of clubs damaged by mismanagement and neglect.

“We are doing this for you because, for too long, you have been treated as an afterthought at best or a nuisance at worst in a game that is only great because of you,” she said.

“This is for Macclesfield, for Wigan, for Bury, for Bolton, for Derby, for Reading, for Sheffield Wednesday, for Morecambe and for many, many more who have had to endure the misery of being put last when they should have been put first.”

Calls from the Conservatives for a formal review of the alcohol ban in football stands were rejected.

MPs also turned down a proposal from the Liberal Democrats to show at least ten Premier League matches on free-to-air television each season.