Prime Minister Liz Truss is calling for an independent regulator

Prime Minister Liz Truss told Conservative councilors and members she was “fully supportive of the recommendations of a fan-led review” calling for an independent regulator and insisting she was vehemently against a European Super League in private hustings aimed at winning. of their support over the summer in her attempt to reach 10 Downing Street.

Truss was asked about the government white paper, which was promised for this fall to push forward legislation for an independent football regulator, right after a Zoom appeal from Conservative Councilor Zak Wagman, who is also a board member of the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, during a virtual mood to gain support during the summer leadership elections.

In the wake of reports, yet to be denied by No. 10, that the government is now flipping its promise to introduce a regulator, Wagman, who voted for Truss in the leadership election, says he understood from her response that they would implement the independent regulator.

Wagman said: “The independent review made it clear that football cannot regulate itself and needs an independent regulator. Her response to me was a commitment to support that. It’s one of the reasons I voted for her. I’d be hugely disappointed if a U-turn comes up on this one. I hope the Prime Minister will stick to her original inclination.’

Wagman’s intervention comes after Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, the author of the fan-led review that recommended a regulator, said the promises made by Truss meant this was a “huge test of her integrity.”

Sources close to the government insist that nothing is excluded and that the regulator is not given as an option and as such reject the characterization of a U-turn.

It is said that Truss, who as MP for South West Norfolk supports Norwich and has attended matches on Carrow Road, absolutely understands that football clubs are community goods and that, as the new Prime Minister, it is normal to respect Boris Johnson’s policy commitments.

The government appears to be aiming to pressure the Premier League into giving the EFL a fairer financial settlement. The commitment not to allow another Bury or another Derby would remain steadfast. However, it is unclear whether the government will choose a regulator to do so.

The Big Six escaped Super League clubs and the Premier League, which have banded together to campaign against a regulator, are not off the hook just yet, as a Labor government would almost certainly go ahead with plans to regulate football, a policy that has huge support in crucial constituencies in the north of England.

Premier League assemblies are currently trying to negotiate a compromise deal with the EFL to reform parachute payments, which are seen as disruptive to the Premier League, although it appears they still want some measure of support for relegated clubs, which are likely to will face competition from the championship. The EFL wants merit-based payments without special advocacy for relegated clubs throughout the championship.