Overview

The Football Governance Bill aims to improve transparency and fairness in English football club ownership. It mandates the disclosure of club owners, grants the Football Association greater power to vet owners, ensures equal treatment of creditors in insolvency, and facilitates supporter ownership.

Description

This bill introduces several key changes:

• Transparency of Ownership: All clubs in the top eight tiers of English football must publicly declare their ultimate beneficial owners, including details of trusts and beneficiaries.
• "Fit and Proper" Person Test: The Football Association gains the power to reject ownership applications from individuals deemed unfit. This includes assessing their ability to comply with FA rules and regulations.
• Creditor Treatment: The bill abolishes preferential treatment for certain creditors when a club enters administration, ensuring all creditors are treated equally.
• Supporter Ownership: The bill prevents leagues from enacting rules that would discriminate against community benefit societies or similar organisations seeking to own clubs.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. The costs are likely to be associated with increased regulatory oversight by the Football Association and potential legal challenges. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Football Clubs: Clubs will face increased transparency requirements and potential challenges to ownership changes.
• Football Club Owners: Owners will face stricter vetting processes and greater scrutiny of their financial dealings.
• Football Association: The FA will gain significant new powers and responsibilities in regulating club ownership.
• Football Club Creditors: Creditors will benefit from equal treatment in the event of club insolvency.
• Supporter Groups: Supporter groups aiming for ownership will find it easier to acquire clubs.

Powered by nyModel