The Coalition Government has launched an inquiry to consider the case for strategic Government intervention in the administration of professional football clubs. It is claimed that the inquiry is responding not only to high-profile cases at Liverpool and Manchester United but also “to broader concerns that current and future generations of football supporters…are ill-served by current football club regulations”.
The enquiry will look at the scope for enhancing supporter involvement in decision-making processes and consider whether current regulatory processes – including fit and proper persons tests – are adequate.
Committee Chair Mr John Whittingdale said: “The Government has said that it will encourage the reform of football governance rules to support the co-operative ownership of football clubs by supporters, and there is widespread concern that the current
governance arrangements are not fit-for-purpose.