‘Historic’ football regulator bill becomes law – what it means for fans

Following the passage of a bill to establish an independent football regulator, football fans have hailed a “historic moment” for English football.

The bill, according to Premier Keir Starmer, is a “proud and defining moment for English football” and will set the stage for a “stronger, fairer future” for the game.

Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) CEO Kevin Miles hailed this as “a historic moment for football in this country.”

A body that isn’t bound by the government and football authorities will be granted powers under the Football Governance Act.

The regulator overseeing the men’s game in England’s top five divisions was given Royal Assent on Monday, which means it has been passed into law.

A fan-led review into the game led to the establishment of the regulator, and a similar bill was introduced by the then-Tory government in March 2024, but it fell short of passing Parliament before a May general election. Four months later, the Labour government reintroduced the legislation.

In the coming months of this year, the regulator will be introduced. Before any changes are implemented, the government announced that the football industry would be consulted.

“Football Governance Act fulfills the promise we made to fans,” the landmark legislation states. They will keep the clubs they value dearly and the crucial role they play in our economy in mind, Starmer continued.

The regulator will stop clubs from joining breakaway competitions, like the fans’ vehemently opposed proposal for an European Super League in 2021, which also improves financial sustainability across the football pyramid.

Some Conservatives opposed it as it passed through Parliament. Karren Brady, vice president of West Ham United, claimed the bill had “dangers lurking” and that it would have an impact on competition. The need for a regulator was also criticized by the Premier League.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said to BBC Sports Editor Dan Roan, “We’ve had far too many clubs at risk from poor ownership and finances,” adding: “This is a huge moment for football fans.

Nandy outlined some of the proposed future modifications that will be made once the bill is in effect.

It won’t be possible for fans like Sheffield Wednesday to change the colors without fans being present and a part of the decision-making process, she said.

It will mean that your stadium can’t be relocated without your consent, according to Wimbledon supporters. Fans will be re-enter the rooms where decisions are made, and it will mean that all clubs will have to adhere to the highest standards.

The bill, according to English Football League (EFL) chairman Rick Parry, represents “a watershed moment in the history of English football” and would allow clubs to “move up and down the pyramid” without risking financial collapse.

The IFR could also aid in reaching a resolution regarding a new funding agreement between the EFL and Premier League, Parry claims is “destabilizing, ever widening, and deeply unfair.”

The IFR is a necessary safeguard to ensure clubs are not treated solely as assets, according to Kieran Maguire, Associate Professor in Football Finance at the University of Liverpool.

Miles stated that the FSA would collaborate with the IFR to keep fans’ voices at the forefront of the discussion.