Supporters Direct (SD) today welcomed the follow-up report of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on the reform of football governance.
In their follow-up report issued today (29/01/13) the Committee has told football to deliver necessary reforms to the game within 12 months or be forced into action by legislation.
The recommendations cover a wide range of issues that have been central to SD’s mission over recent years including: a reformed FA with greater representation of supporter interests; improved transparency of club ownership and more efficient mechanisms to enable supporters to own a stake in clubs; a robust licensing regime to ensure football clubs are managed sustainably for the long term; a fairer distribution of football’s wealth throughout the pyramid; a structured relationship between clubs and supporters; and a clear long-term funding solution for supporter organisations.
In particular we welcome the Committee’s specific recommendations
1. That The FA needs to include a rule as part of the new football club licensing arrangements that guarantees a Structured Relationship between supporters and clubs; and
2. That DCMS needs to establish the Government Expert Group before the beginning of next season (2013/2014) to explore methods of removing barriers to increased collective supporter share ownership in their football clubs.
Chief Executive David Lampitt said:
“The Committee has clearly been spurred on by what they called the ‘lack of direction and urgency’ of the football authorities and has recognised that a few minor changes do not add up to meaningful reform. A timetable for proper change is now required, backed up by Government intervention if it is not delivered upon. It is supporters who sustain the game economically – whether through tickets or TV subscriptions – and who have the long terms interests of the game at heart. This must be better reflected in the way the game is run and the way clubs are run.
“The positive role that supporters can play is no better demonstrated than by looking at the success of Swansea City, FC United of Manchester or the Bundesliga in Germany. Fans are not the cause of the game’s problems, but they can be, they must be, part of the solution. SD will continue to push for these reforms working alongside our partner organisations, the football authorities and the Government. “
SD is hosting a follow-up event at the House of Commons on the 5th February which is already oversubscribed with over 60 MPs committed to attending.