'THERE IS ROOM TO IMPROVE'

CLUBS’ coalition Fair Game have called on the Government to take urgent steps to ensure the proposed new independent regulator is fit for purpose – and ends the continuing crisis in football that has left clubs on the brink.

- John Lyons

The call came in the organisation’s official response to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s White Paper, A sustainable future - reforming club football governance.

The consultation process on the paper closed on Friday night. It outlines the Government’s thinking about the future of football and, crucially, the proposed remit of a new Independent Regulator for English Football (IREF).

While Fair Game , a group of 34 clubs in the EFL and NonLeague campaigning for better governance in football, believe much of the proposals hit the spot and are to be applauded, they have identified several areas for improvement.

They list nine steps the Government must take to ensure the proposed regulator has teeth.

1. The removal of vested interests in all decision-making processes

2. The IREF must have a strong legislative power to impose penalties