Stars including Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Lineker write to Government in bid to set up independent football regulator that would outlaw any future attempts to abandon traditional pyramid after failed Super League plans
- Ex-players have want Government to establish independent football regulator
- Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Gary Lineker have signed an open letter
- Regulator would outlaw any future attempts to disrupt the football pyramid
The Government will come under major pressure on Monday morning from some of English football’s biggest names to establish an independent football regulator.
In an open letter signed by Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Lineker and Jamie Carragher among others, Whitehall is being urged to launch an Ofcom-style body to regulate the sport.
The move comes weeks after the Big Six’s failed plan to join a European Super League.
Jamie Carragher (L) and Gary Neville (R) are among stars who have written to the Government calling for an independent football regulator to be established
The document calls on the Government to outlaw any future attempts from clubs to abandon the traditional football pyramid, and provides fans with the opportunity to sign a petition backing calls to introduce an overarching regulatory body.
There is likely to be significant opposition to the proposals from existing footballing bodies, in particular the FA and Premier League.
If set up, the regulatory body would have a duty to represent the interests of supporters, protect against bad practices and adjudicate on matters involving the FA, Premier League and EFL with a focus on banning clubs from acting solely in their own self-interest.
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has backed the plan to protect the football pyramid
Rio Ferdinand also signed the open letter, with the proposed body having a duty to represent the interests of supporters
Other key issues include wealth distribution, stringent fit and proper persons tests for prospective club owners and equality, diversity and inclusion.
Such a body would encroach on the FA’s powers, however there is a sense among those involved in these proposals that the governing body lacks credibility and is not sufficiently independent.
The Government are launching a separate fan-led review into football governance, fronted by politician Tracey Crouch.