The crisis surrounding Chelsea has pushed an independent regulator for football closer to reality, with sources close to the campaign now confident legislation will be included in the Queen’s Speech in May.
The fan-led review into football, published last year, made strong recommendations that an independent regulator, who would grant licences to compete, govern finances and oversee club behaviour, should be introduced.
The Premier League are resisting the proposals set out in Tracey Crouch’s review but Chelsea’s strife has increased the appetite in Government to get to grips with the national game, i understands.
The Government now effectively oversees the operation of Chelsea after sanctions were imposed on Roman Abramovich last week that froze the club as an asset. Campaigners claim that has increased the appetite for a regulator who sits apart from the Premier League to impose rules of good governance.
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The Premier League are also set to revise their owners’ and directors’ test in the wake of the Abramovich sanctions. The league disqualified the oligarch over the weekend from acting as a director.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who worked on the review with Crouch, told i: “I think from a football governance point of view, what has happened at Chelsea gives real weight to Tracey Crouch’s fan-led review into football governance.
“The Chelsea situation undoubtedly increases the chances of an independent regulator passing into law.”
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