August 2024
Starting from:
£99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference focused on next steps for football regulation and governance in England.
It brought together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss priorities and key considerations for the new Parliament, following the recent announcement in the King’s Speech of a new Football Governance Bill which will establish an independent football regulator.
Delegates examined the suitability of provisions for financial sustainability outlined in the Bill, including the introduction of financial regulation with the aim of improving the financial resilience of clubs.
There was also discussion on the future for parachute payments and issues surrounding intervention in the distribution of finances throughout the football pyramid and options for increased fan engagement in decision-making processes.
Those attending explored the potential scope and functionality of strengthened Owners’ and Directors’ Tests, and implications of regulatory intervention for future investment and football club ownership in England.
The agenda also looked at next steps for clubs, their boards and senior leaders in light of expected new corporate governance regulations, including the potential impact of governance codes and options for supporting smaller clubs.
The conference was also an opportunity to examine the proposed introduction of a shadow regulator, including priorities for league, club and investor engagement with preparatory work. Sessions examined expected challenges for interoperability with existing regulatory frameworks and governing bodies, and next steps for developing an evidence base for regulation.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Aaryaman Banerji, Football Policy Lead, Civitas; Professor Rob Wilson, Director, Executive Education, University Campus of Football Business; and Dr Jan Zglinski, Assistant Professor, Law, London School of Economics and Political Science.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- regulatory powers:
- potential for financial and non-financial penalties - Profit and Sustainability Rules and a proposed spending cap - proposals for a licensing system and annual levy
- key considerations for proportionality
- financial distribution: assessing the potential for intervention in revenue distribution - future approaches to parachute payments - exploring measures for effective financial oversight
- fan engagement: strategies for including fan representatives in decision-making processes
- Owners’ and Directors’ Tests: implications for future investment into English football - assessing how the tests might work in practice
- corporate governance:
- assessing the impact of corporate governance codes - support with compliance needed by smaller clubs
- options for inclusion of welfare standards - exploring adequate measures for the demonstration of requisite competence
- considerations for a shadow regulator: scope and operation - priorities for any preparatory work - challenges for interoperability with existing governing bodies and regulatory frameworks
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from DCMS; DSIT; NAO; and The Scottish Government; as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons.
The proceedings of the conference will be circulated more widely, to Parliamentarians, ministerial offices, and government and regulatory officials with an interest in the issues being discussed. All delegates will also receive a video recording of the conference.
