Government football charter ‘LEAKED’… with ‘owners unable to prove source of wealth to be BARRED’

A new soccer charter will bring drastic changes to the way the game is played, according to a leaked government document seen by Sun.

The charter is reportedly set to introduce new regulations on prospective owners, including a ban on those who cannot prove their wealth is “legitimate”, provide a greater role in the running of clubs by supporters. and lead to the creation of an independent football regulator. .

It’s all part of The Football White Paper, which is expected to be published next week, following a government-commissioned report on the game that took place in November 2021.

Conservative MP Tracey Crouch had championed an independent regulator in her fan-led review of football, which was accepted by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

However, the fan-led review came under fire last year and former Prime Minister Liz Truss was reportedly uninterested in it, before Rishi Sunak again outlined his commitment to the plans when he took office. .

A new soccer card is reportedly set to introduce drastic changes to the way the game is run.

Tracey Crouch MP defended an independent regulator in her fan-led review of football

The reported plans for checks on buying clubs would have affected former Chelsea owner and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

As for potential owners, the role of the government will mean that anyone who wants to take over a football club will have to prove the source of their wealth.

This means that those who cannot prove that they legitimately amassed their fortunes will not be able to buy clubs and the report states that this is done to ensure that only “proper and proper custodians” can become owners.

This would have affected former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and put the oligarch out of the Premier League, with the regulator expected to carry out significant due diligence on potentially undesirable investors.

Each team will also reportedly need to have sufficient funds and follow a new governance code to ensure their financial stability.

It is also planned to increase the participation of fans in their clubs, who are expected to have a minimum level of participation to prevent owners from changing things like names, logos or colors without consulting.

This was the case in 2012 when Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan changed the club’s colors from blue to red, before reversing the decision in 2015 after fan protests.

The report states that a level of minimum standards will be applied to ensure supporters are “consulted on all key legacy decisions.”

The clubs will also help fund an independent regulator that will have powers to prevent teams from joining breakaway leagues unless the regulator approves.

Rishi Sunak outlined his commitment to the plans when he took over as prime minister last year.

Many of the proposals are aimed at reducing the number of clubs going bankrupt, such as Derby County, which went into administration last year before being saved.

This would include the unsuccessful European Super League which all the Premier League ‘Big Six’ teams originally signed up for before leaving following widespread fan protests.

This regulator will be financed through the teams paying an annual fee, with the richer clubs paying more than the smaller clubs.

He could also reportedly redistribute money from the Premier League to the lower leagues.

Every club in the top five tiers of English football must also be legally licensed, and this will be achieved through the use of four separate criteria for teams to meet, with penalties imposed for those who break the rules.

The criteria reportedly ensure the club is financially secure, run by suitable and suitable owners, has an adequate level of fan power and plays in approved league and cup competitions.

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan is reportedly interested in having the independent regulator ready to go from the start of the 2024-25 season, with the Cabinet expected to approve the proposals shortly.

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan is reportedly interested in getting the independent regulator ready to go from the start of the 2024-25 season.

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan changed the clubs’ colors from blue to red in 2012, but the new regulations would mean owners could no longer make decisions like that.

While there is hope that the introduction of a regulator will reduce the chances of clubs going bankrupt, as more than 60 have done so since the Premier League was launched in 1992, it is likely that these proposals in the reported football charter cause controversy.

They are expected to be pushed back and opposed by clubs that are not in favor of more regulation, and the issues are likely to take center stage in the coming weeks and months.

However, the new soccer charter is not expected to address other highly controversial issues, such as the increase in ticket prices or the consumption of alcohol in the stands while watching matches, as is the case in some European countries.