

Is Labour’s football regulator an own goal?
Nov 30, 2024
Paul Goodman, a Senior Fellow at Policy Exchange and contributing writer for The Spectator, along with Spectator columnist Rod Liddle, dive into the controversial Football Governance Bill. They debate whether the proposed independent football regulator will truly benefit the game or hinder it with excessive control. The discussion covers financial inequalities between leagues, ownership vetting inadequacies, and the historical context of governance failures. Concerns about political influence and the need for a sunset clause to evaluate the regulator's effectiveness are also explored.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Premier League's Success
- The Premier League's success is evident in increased attendances across all divisions, not just the top tier.
- This success is attributed to factors like the league's financial distribution model and showcasing top global talent.
Crouch Report's Oversights
- The Crouch report, which triggered the bill, cited COVID, Bury's collapse (which was reversed), and the failed Super League.
- It overlooked football's successes and the ability of clubs like Wimbledon to resurrect themselves.
Club Ownership Concerns
- Implement stricter criteria for club ownership beyond mere financial capacity.
- Many clubs suffer from poor ownership, and fan-controlled experiments haven't been consistently successful.