British government reassures UEFA over independent football regulator concerns

UEFA's general secretary Theodore Theodoridis wrote to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy earlier this month about "concerns remaining" regarding the regulator.

The letter highlighted the fundamental requirement that there should be no Government interference in the running of football, warning that the ultimate sanction would be the exclusion of the Football Association from UEFA and English clubs from UEFA competitions.

That led to reports over the weekend that England's place at the next men's and women's Euros could be under threat, but Government and UEFA sources played down its significance.

Nevertheless, the Government says it stands willing to speak to UEFA on this issue.

"Where there are any concerns we are very happy to speak to UEFA," said a Downing Street spokeswoman. "(The possibility of England's exclusion) is not our understanding or expectation.

"The regulator is independent of Government and its focus is on ensuring a community voice in clubs. We don't envisage any issues with (participation in the Euros), but we're very happy to speak to them."

UEFA sources have indicated that it is not opposed to a regulator per se, and the letter even referenced the "collaborative dialogue" with the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). However, Theodoridis did express concerns about the risk of "scope creep".

Theodoridis said the regulator's remit should be "strictly limited" to the long-term financial sustainability of clubs.

UEFA sought clarification around one clause in the Football Governance Bill as presented under the previous Government which obliged the regulator to consider the Government's trade policy objectives when assessing the suitability of an owner or potential buyer of a club.

The letter also highlighted concerns around the plan to give the regulator backstop powers to impose a financial settlement between the Premier League and the EFL if they cannot agree one themselves.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who is a high-profile supporter of independent regulation, described reporting around the letter as "scaremongering".

The Football Governance Bill was included in the King's Speech in July, making it part of the new Labour Government's legislative agenda for the current parliamentary session. 

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