The introduction of an independent football regulator appears inevitable but Premier League clubs hope that delaying its presence in the sport can save some significant cash
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Gary Neville has been a key supporter for a football regulator to be introduced
Gary Neville has been a key supporter for a football regulator to be introduced
(Image: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
Premier League clubs hope to save £150million by delaying the introduction of the independent football regulator. Top-flight sides want to save that figure in payments to the English Football League by helping to delay a regulator until after parliament's summer recess, per City AM.
The Football Governance Bill passed its third reading in the House of Lords last month and will return to the Commons after Easter. It is now seen as inevitable by the Premier League due to the support from the bill across parties, though Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has been an opponent.
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A 'Whole Game Review' will be undertaken when the regulator is implemented, and it will also have the power to recommend a new funding settlement between the Premier League and the EFL. The Premier League has lobbied for changes to the Football Governance Bill, and want to remove the regulator’s proposed powers over parachute payments.
The Premier League and EFL have negotiated over a new distribution deal for a number of years but thus far failed to reach an agreement. The Premier League are said to have come close to making a formal offer, worth an extra £925m over six years, last year to the EFL but it failed to earn the backing required.
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Any delay ensures a longer period in the current standing that saves the bigger clubs money. As a result there is not a significant incentive for the division to make an offer.
Salford City owner and former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has been one of the chief proponents for a regulator in the sport. The Class of 92 graduate believes it can play an important role, with parachute payments able to be effectively looked at.
Neville, in an interview with Secretary of State Lisa Nandy at the National Football Museum in October, said: “I think it's an emotive subject. And I think this is the time for real thought around this because there is an angle that you want clubs that go up to be able to spend money so they can compete with the mighty clubs that live within the Premier League and exist within the Premier League.
Gary Neville believes parachute payments must be looked at
Gary Neville believes parachute payments must be looked at(Image: PA)
“But then you get down to the Championship where it just creates this huge inequality which is unhealthy for the game and it creates a desperation. And we're now getting to a point where I was seeing almost the same three clubs going up and the same three clubs going down because of the fact they've got such an advantage.
“And parachute payments need dealing with. They need dealing with in a thoughtful manner which doesn't stress Premier League clubs too much, but also deals with the Championship and the inequality in the rest of the pyramid.
“Going down should bring great sporting disappointment. It shouldn't bring financial, you know, obliteration effectively. And I think that's the way in which the game should sort of go.”
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