Tories back down on football regulation
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.