A Whole New Ball Game: A New Era for Competition and Good Governance in Football?
Aaryaman Banerji, August 2024
The governance of the men’s football industry in England has been the subject of extensive debate and speculation since the publication of the Fan-Led Review into football in 2021. The majority of the 47 recommendations made in the initial review did, in some form, make it into the previous government’s Football Governance Bill. Most notable amongst these was the prospect of an independent regulator being introduced to oversee the sport. This was signalled the biggest shake-up of football’s governance since the formation of the
Premier League in 1992.
Although the Conservative government’s Bill was unable to be passed before the General Election, the notion of reforming the football industry – and of an independent regulator – generated cross-party support, appearing in the manifestos of all three major political parties. The current Labour government has promised to introduce a new Bill on this topic, with their own political flavour attached.
It is critical that any new legislation is careful, balanced, and provides a suitable framework for managing the realities of the football industry. In this report, Aaryaman Banerji analyses the priorities for new regulation in football, and the most significant factors incoming legislation should consider. By highlighting the strengths and challenges of the previous government’s work, and placing ideas for reform in the context of the wider football industry, Banerji is able to provide a clear direction for change, and make conclusions that will serve a more sustainable, competitive industry.
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