Historic legislation to reform the governance of men’s elite football in England and to put fans back at the heart of the game has been introduced in Parliament.
EFL Chair, Rick Parry said: “The EFL welcomes today’s arrival of the Football Governance Bill to Parliament in what we hope will be an important milestone to help us secure the long-term financial sustainability of England’s football pyramid.
“If delivered on the right terms, this landmark legislation can help fix the game’s broken financial model by offering the independent input ultimately needed to help ensure that all clubs can survive and thrive in a fair and competitive environment.
“The establishment of the Independent Football Regulator will be at the heart of this reform, and we are encouraged that the Regulator will be given backstop powers to deliver financial redistributions should the game be unable to agree a deal itself.
“In recent years, we have been working with Government and across Parliament on a cross-party basis. It is clear there is an appreciation of just how important professional clubs are to their communities and why they must be protected.
"We are pleased that the Government has stated its commitment to the State of the Game Review which will provide the basis for the Independent Regulator’s work in making the game financially sustainable.
“The League looks forward to contributing to that Review while simultaneously working with EFL clubs, Parliamentarians, and officials to ensure that the Football Governance Bill is fit for purpose and can deliver the best regulatory regime to safeguard our game for generations.
“Finally, on behalf of the EFL, I would like to thank MPs, peers, fans and all those who have helped get the Bill to Parliament and we will continue to work collaboratively in the months ahead.”
Club Director, Peter Ridsdale added: “Preston North End Football Club echo the comments from EFL Chair, Rick Parry in welcoming the introduction of legislation through the Football Governance Bill.
“We have been consistent in calling for the whole football pyramid being able to agree a financial distribution model that would underpin both sustainability and equally importantly competitiveness.
“Whilst we had hoped that a ‘fairer’ redistribution model could have been arrived at by agreement between the Premier League and EFL, that has regrettably not been possible. There has been no offer forthcoming from the Premier League to EFL clubs.
“In the absence of a football-led solution, the only option left open would appear to be via a Regulator.”
You can find out more about the Governance Bill by clicking here.
