Football Governance Bill Sparks Debate Over State Ownership in English Football
The Football Governance Bill, currently under review in the House of Lords, seeks to establish an independent regulator for football to protect clubs from financial mismanagement, like the collapse of Bury FC. A controversial amendment proposed by Lord Bassam of Brighton has reignited debate by calling for a ban on state ownership of football clubs—a move that could impact clubs like Manchester City and Newcastle United.
If passed, the amendment would force Sheikh Mansour, vice-president of the United Arab Emirates and owner of Manchester City, as well as the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Newcastle United, to divest their stakes. This would be a prerequisite for obtaining a licence from the independent football regulator (IFR) to compete in English leagues.
Lord Bassam’s amendment states:
“No state-controlled club may be granted an operating licence, and any affected club must satisfy the IFR that they have divested themselves of their state-control before applying for an operating licence.”
The amendment further defines “state-controlled” entities as those owned by individuals or entities deemed to be under the influence of a state actor, including government officials, heads of state, diplomats, or sovereign wealth funds.
While the proposed legislation marks a bold step toward protecting the integrity of football governance, The Times reports there is little likelihood of the amendment passing. For now, the debate continues in the House of Lords, with significant implications for the future of football club ownership in England.
