Craig Smith, the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for North West Leicestershire, has welcomed the Government's Football Governance Bill, creating a new Independent Football Regulator to give fans a genuine voice, and ensure their interests are front and centre.
The Regulator will give fans a greater say in the running of clubs, including over key football heritage like club names, badges and kit colours. It will have comprehensive powers to safeguard fans from rogue owners, including requiring that fans are consulted on off-field decisions, being able to block rogue owners from owning clubs and requiring owners to have approval prior to relocating a stadium.
These measures are being taken after extensive consultation with fans, clubs and the already existing football authorities such as the Premier League and the FA. Whilst the Independent Football Regulator will have the power to take action to protect the interests of fans, will strike the right balance and make sure clubs aren’t wrapped up in needless red tape.
Craig said 'I am pleased that the Conservative Government is sticking to the plan of introducing the Football Governance Bill. Our major local East Midlands clubs Leicester City, Derby County and Nottingham Forest have all had issues in the past where the presence of a regulator may well have assisted and made a difference.
I do hope in the future it extends down the football pyramid so clubs is the district like Coalville Town and Ashby Ivanhoe have similar protections in place, making sure that fans are prioritised in the decisions that the club makes, giving them a say in the future of their club and putting fans first to create a brighter future for the game.'
