Prior to the general election the Conservative party, along with Labour and the Liberal Demoncrats each made a pledge to take action on football regulation, including financial fair play and ownership guidelines. While Gordon Brown’s doomed party made the strongest manifesto play for fan-based ownership the Tories followed suit.
Now in power David Cameron’s government has responded to a supporter-led petition, calling on the government to end the cycle of greed and financial mismanagement in football that has overwhelmed Manchester United, Liverpool, Cardiff, Crystal Palace, Southend, Portsmouth and Notts County in the past year … with yet more inaction.
“We understand why fans are becoming increasingly concerned at the level of debt accumulated at some clubs from takeovers and recognise that there are some tough challenges facing the game,” said the government response.
“However, it is not for the Government to regulate football. It is for the clubs themselves to ensure they manage their finances well, and for the football authorities to regulate the game to the highest standards.
“Government will continue to encourage the football authorities to work together to address the areas of most concern to supporters – those of financial transparency, increasing debt levels, and the criteria which determines who can run football clubs – otherwise known as the “fit and proper person test”.
Another government, another let down supporters might add.
The writer of this article clearly has now understanding of political ideology. A key principle of a conservative government is less regulation – rightly so – and the Torries are following this fundamental principle.!
It wasn’t about two months ago apparently!
The Market will decide the fate of football clubs that may go broke. The Government of the day should have nothing to do with them. Brown was desperate and would say anything to hold onto power.
OK, now it’s the Goverments issue to run privately own businesses….?
Do you think before you publish complete nonsense? and in the build up to a general elections all parties say whatever they like to entice the stupid and guilable to vote for them.
Sucked in Norwich fans.
Who said run? Financial and ownership regulation is relevant. UEFA, FIFA, the French and German governments agree and each of the parties made pre-election promises to that effect. Aside from keeping promises made such a short time ago, it is the government’s job to regulate failing markets – they do so across many industries. Football is clearly a failing market. I’d suggest you go do some reading on the subject before you post ignorant crap like this.