Politics

Minister’s threat: New laws to tame football fatcats after European Super League


Penalties being considered alongside a fan-led review of the game could include an Ofcom-style independent regulator — a national referee with powers to call out behaviour that undermines healthy competition and fair funding.

Fans will get more say, possibly through new ownership, and owners could be tamed by competition laws reflecting the importance of the sport.

“We will not have our national game taken away from us for profit,” said Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden. Football, he said, deserved the same protection as historic cathedrals and galleries because it was “as much part of our national heritage as our great stately homes”.

Today’s pledges of action followed an astonishing drama last night as the six English clubs who signed up to the European Super League lost their nerve in the face of fans’ fury.

The collapse started with reports that Chelsea were going pull out after 1,000 supporters staged an angry protest at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City then withdrew.

Arsenal and Tottenham, the other London sides involved, later pulled out along with Liverpool and Manchester United.

Manchester United chief Ed Woodward, one of the key figures behind the “league of greed”, resigned after a reported showdown with his team’s players, including captain Harry Maguire.



READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.