| The football regulator... 08:51 - Apr 2 with 974 views | bluelagos |
Think this needs a proper discussion - and people seem engaged at the moment...
Posted this on another thread - but things diverge so...will post again.
Out all day but be interested in people's thoughts on whether we need one, what should it look at (if we do) and should our club be onside with it or opposing it?
Or would be oppose a regulator and not hold back football club owners from where they want to see it going?
------------------
Where's my head at ref a football regulator..
There are a number of issues where without regulation, the clubs collectively and individually continue the pursuit of profit ahead of the fans.
Take a step back and think about the influence of sky on football. When it started it was one game a week, now we regularly get weekends with 2 or 3 Saturday 3pm kick offs. Had that been proposed 20 years ago the fans would have organised and kicked off, but it's always small steps until we are now where we are.
And where's it going? No one has a crystal ball but a few things to worry about it. Majority American ownership in the Prem could lead to a like minded voting block taking football away from where the fans want it.
European super league already muted by at least 6 English club owners, no relegation, how convenient for some (That's you Spurs)
One game overseas thingy. Starts at one and how do you decide where? Cities bidding for hosting rights, globally. Look at how F1 works, the circus travels around the world and maximises audiences locally and in TV. You are say a Venture Capitalist owner looking at maximising revenue why wouldn't you support it?
The whole direction of travel of football for the 40 years I've been watching has been from a spectator led business to a TV led business. The figures from our season in the Prem highlight that.
And who ever listens to the fans. You got 6k on your waiting list for STs you can happily ignore dissenting voices knowing isolating traditional fans matters not a bit.
So do we need proper regulation, absolutely. That Ashton doesn't support it worries me not because I care for his insights (he's gone soon enough) but i cant see Ashton's views not having been discussed with the ownership.
So if we have owners aligned to lobbying against the football regulator I'd start to be more concerned about where they might want us to go. For now being little Ipswich probably protects us from over ambition but ultimately our owners only care about one thing, money. They are investors first and foremost and will see future value in the club.
If the game continues to chase revenues over the fans then we all lose our yet more.
Someone needs to share that clip from Wembley of the lovely Dad and son moment. Wonderful touching stuff but the light show is an abhorrence to any right minded traditional football fan (or grumpy bastard dependent on your views)
Bit of a ramble, but almost as if our voices (the traditional fan) needs to be heard.. [Post edited 2 Apr 8:59]
|  |
| |  |
| The football regulator... on 09:03 - Apr 2 with 928 views | LandOfMickyStockwell |
There is a question over whether there should be regulation, but the pertinent one for ITFC and Ashton are the govt proposals in hand.
We can all throw eyes up at changes in football, but they may not fall under the remit of the regulator. Could the regulator role grow? It probably will. If so, that's a reason for caution (in case football becomes a political football) and the need for its role to include the concerns of fans and clubs that currently exist.
Govt factsheet: https://www.gov.uk/government/ |  | | |
| The football regulator... on 09:13 - Apr 2 with 881 views | NederlandseBlue |
It is clear that the existing rules around club ownership are not "fit and proper". The regulator is meant to have stronger powers in this area. I support this.
Negotiations between the EPL and EFL for a better distribution of money are difficult due to the asymmetrical clout of the EPL. The regulator is also meant to be able to get involved here too. If this creates a more competitive league, rather than the same clubs always winning - there is a lot of evidence showing that unpredictability has been English football's biggest advantage over other leagues, and that unpredictability is being eroded - then I would support this too. I do not know how they would go about this however...
Politics and football by NederlandseBlue 28 Mar 14:49I'm surprised a few have said politics has no place on a football forum. Especially when Reform were publicising their positions on football on the same day that ITFC shirts were on the top of their social media channels.
How do we feel about the following (and the implied endorsement from our club)...
Coaching diversity:
The FA has a target to have 25%+ of coaching staff for the mens national teams across all levels to come from non-white backgrounds by 2028.
To reach this, the FA partners with clubs and academies to offer "volunteer placement opportunities" for people from historically underrepresented backgrounds.Through a "carefully structured programme" of learning and development to gain "experience and exposure within a professional environment". There is also guidance for county FAs, and grassroots support for those from south asian backgrounds where football is not commonly considered a career path. Clubs must also report off-field workforce diversity to track progress.
The FA says it will "always take a meritocratic approach by appointing the best people for roles" but recognises "the importance of having a broader range of participants across the sport".
Today, 40%+ of players are black yet there are 4 black head coaches across the top four leagues in England. This number that has not changed much for the past 5 years.
Reform's position: This is "woke nonsense" and should be scrapped.
Football governance:
The newly established Independent Football Regulator is meant to "protect and promote the financial soundness" of clubs and the "financial resilience" of the sport overall, as well as "safeguard the heritage of English football". It aims to strengthen owner suitability tests and prevent financial mismanagement while protecting fan interests through enhanced engagement, and blocking breakaway leagues.
Today, 73 clubs across the top four leagues in England depend on owner investment to remain active. While losses in the Premier League have narrowed, they have widened across the EFL. Derby, Wigan, Bury, Macclesfield, Reading, Southend, and the ongoing issues at Sheffield Wednesday, are examples of just a few of the clubs that have suffered winding up orders in recent years.
Reform's position: This is "disastrous" and a "bonkers" idea as "government-controlled quangos would fail to understand the sport and undermine the success of the Premier League". They prefer football should be "left alone".
|  |
| |
| The football regulator... on 09:19 - Apr 2 with 846 views | Radlett_blue |
We don't need the government meddling in football.
What we need is the useless FA to start doing its job better. While I agree that is unlikely, it's better than adding another layer of bureaucracy. |  |
| |
| The football regulator... on 09:22 - Apr 2 with 836 views | NedPlimpton |
| The football regulator... on 09:03 - Apr 2 by LandOfMickyStockwell |
There is a question over whether there should be regulation, but the pertinent one for ITFC and Ashton are the govt proposals in hand.
We can all throw eyes up at changes in football, but they may not fall under the remit of the regulator. Could the regulator role grow? It probably will. If so, that's a reason for caution (in case football becomes a political football) and the need for its role to include the concerns of fans and clubs that currently exist.
Govt factsheet: https://www.gov.uk/government/ |
Thanks for sharing the fact sheet. I'd not seen it before. I think fit and proper ownership should go without saying but the below was equally as pertinent
Heritage- to safeguard the traditional features of English football that matter most to the fans and local communities of clubs.
Apologies for making this political, but I'd imagine a lot of those so keen for Reform to get into power would also agree with a lot of what the football regulator's role would be. It's hard to see how a "working class" traditional fan could disagree with some regulation to preserve what makes English football so good |  | | |
| The football regulator... on 09:25 - Apr 2 with 824 views | OldFart71 |
Chasing revenue over fans has always happened. I remember us playing a Cup match against Nottingham Forest. Myself and my ex Brother-ln-law went to the match with a neighbour and his daughter.
They got in and we didn't as it was a sell out and in those days they just packed as many in as they could. For the older fans they can remember Leeds and 38,000 in the ground.
Myself and Brother-in-law went regularly every home game. We weren't ST holders we just got a spot half way up the North stand behind the goal.
Therefore the club weren't particularly bothered that about 10,000 maybe weren't regular supporters.
As for income we have already been told by MA that the rebuilding of the Cobbold will see it used 365 days a year and that will include all sorts of meetings, functions etc. | | | |
| The football regulator... on 09:29 - Apr 2 with 808 views | jayessess |
| The football regulator... on 09:22 - Apr 2 by NedPlimpton |
Thanks for sharing the fact sheet. I'd not seen it before. I think fit and proper ownership should go without saying but the below was equally as pertinent
Heritage- to safeguard the traditional features of English football that matter most to the fans and local communities of clubs.
Apologies for making this political, but I'd imagine a lot of those so keen for Reform to get into power would also agree with a lot of what the football regulator's role would be. It's hard to see how a "working class" traditional fan could disagree with some regulation to preserve what makes English football so good |
The key element there is simply that Farage is (a) a Thatcherite free marketeer and (b) has no particular interest in English football culture beyond what might profit him politically. The idea that someone has some kind of responsibility to make sure Morecambe FC isn't owned by a crook or that Manchester United's commercial interests are balanced with those of Bolton Wanderers (let alone the interests of Trafford FC in Step 3 of Non-League!) is completely alien to him. |  |
| |
| The football regulator... on 09:30 - Apr 2 with 804 views | WeWereZombies |
| The football regulator... on 09:19 - Apr 2 by Radlett_blue |
We don't need the government meddling in football.
What we need is the useless FA to start doing its job better. While I agree that is unlikely, it's better than adding another layer of bureaucracy. |
But what if the government creates something like an owner of last resort ? A bit like a lender of last resort and having the same powers of dispensing with failing management and owners to preserve Clubs for the supporters, if representations had been possible (and provable) in the case of someone like Chansiri then Sheffield Wednesday would be in a much better place now. You only have to look at how quickly the employees of that club got to work removing the seats that spelt out his name after he was gone to see a plea, a reason, for better and independent regulation. |  |
| |
| The football regulator... on 09:32 - Apr 2 with 795 views | NederlandseBlue |
| The football regulator... on 09:19 - Apr 2 by Radlett_blue |
We don't need the government meddling in football.
What we need is the useless FA to start doing its job better. While I agree that is unlikely, it's better than adding another layer of bureaucracy. |
Very good point. The FA has been hollowed out by the professional clubs, and seems to be completely absent from anything other than grassroots/amateur football and the national team structure. Without legislation though, how would they gain that power back? | |
| |
Login to get fewer ads
| The football regulator... on 09:36 - Apr 2 with 780 views | Coastalblue |
Most owners are going to go with the view that if they can be providing a winning team on the pitch then supporters are going to just put up with whatever that might entail.
Sadly they are probably right too, so what if you can only see half your team's games live, they're winning them so it's all rosey.
In many ways we're still in a fortunate position whereby we are still a provincial club with a mostly local fan base, if we do get established in the Prem, and I expect we will in the next decade or so then that will no longer be the case, especially if you pick up a cup win or season or two of European football along the way. |  |
| |
| From what I’ve seen…. on 09:37 - Apr 2 with 786 views | Bloots |
….the current iteration of it is flawed from the outset.
Primarily this is because of a chronic lack of funding. The budget is estimated to be around £10m per year, payable through a club levy.
That is a pathetic amount of money given their stated remit. There is no way they will be able to influence anything other than dealing with the most basic of “fit and proper” tests. So no different than where we are now really.
Any club at Championship level or above will just walk over them simply due to financial power.
There’s also concern that whilst the intentions regarding “fit” owners are good, increased compliance may lead to smaller clubs finding it more difficult to get funding than previously and actually lead to more going out of business.
Then of course you have to add in the question of political independence, as we’ve already seen with Labour appointing a party donor to head it up.
Any thought that the current incarnation will help the fans in any way is just a pie in the sky fantasy. |  |
| "....a smegma of a man” - TWTD User (Apr 2026) |
| |
| The football regulator... on 09:46 - Apr 2 with 706 views | rickw |
I think the regulation is required. Someone said the FA should do it, but look at FIFA and the world cup - $175 to park at a WC match, and drinks/ad breaks and quarter time - other competitions could follow with these!
Unfortunately the PL and EFL only think for themselves which is why we'll have 6 team play-offs next season - surely no neutral would think that's a good idea, just like a 48 team WC where 32 qualify.... |  |
| |
| The football regulator... on 09:54 - Apr 2 with 680 views | Guthrum |
| The football regulator... on 09:19 - Apr 2 by Radlett_blue |
We don't need the government meddling in football.
What we need is the useless FA to start doing its job better. While I agree that is unlikely, it's better than adding another layer of bureaucracy. |
Problem being, there is no incentive for the FA to get better without somebody applying pressure from outside.
The clubs aren't going to achieve that, because the wealthiest and most influential see themselves as being firmly aboad the gravy train. The fans - far from a unified voice and often distracted by the lure of big spending on transfers - are too easily ignored.
An outside regulator with imposed powers is the best chance of exerting that pressure.
Tho there is equally the chance it will be a half-@rsed job, poorly defined, too weak or merely sucked into the same cosy don't-interfere bubble the FA themselves exist in. |  |
| |
| The football regulator... on 09:58 - Apr 2 with 671 views | Guthrum |
| The football regulator... on 09:30 - Apr 2 by WeWereZombies |
But what if the government creates something like an owner of last resort ? A bit like a lender of last resort and having the same powers of dispensing with failing management and owners to preserve Clubs for the supporters, if representations had been possible (and provable) in the case of someone like Chansiri then Sheffield Wednesday would be in a much better place now. You only have to look at how quickly the employees of that club got to work removing the seats that spelt out his name after he was gone to see a plea, a reason, for better and independent regulation. |
Would be far better for the game to help get clubs out of these situations before things get too far, instead of just imposing hefty penalties to ensure their final demise even after the original problem has left the building. | |
| |
| The football regulator... on 10:22 - Apr 2 with 643 views | Radlett_blue |
| The football regulator... on 09:46 - Apr 2 by rickw |
I think the regulation is required. Someone said the FA should do it, but look at FIFA and the world cup - $175 to park at a WC match, and drinks/ad breaks and quarter time - other competitions could follow with these!
Unfortunately the PL and EFL only think for themselves which is why we'll have 6 team play-offs next season - surely no neutral would think that's a good idea, just like a 48 team WC where 32 qualify.... |
Right, but do you really expect that government interference will do more good than harm? I'm doubtful that the government is legally entitled to cap ticket prices. | |
| |
| The football regulator... on 10:25 - Apr 2 with 639 views | Cheltenham_Blue |
| The football regulator... on 09:46 - Apr 2 by rickw |
I think the regulation is required. Someone said the FA should do it, but look at FIFA and the world cup - $175 to park at a WC match, and drinks/ad breaks and quarter time - other competitions could follow with these!
Unfortunately the PL and EFL only think for themselves which is why we'll have 6 team play-offs next season - surely no neutral would think that's a good idea, just like a 48 team WC where 32 qualify.... |
As a complete aside, who set these prices? Fifa or USMNT? |  |
| |
| The football regulator... on 10:31 - Apr 2 with 616 views | DanTheMan |
| The football regulator... on 10:25 - Apr 2 by Cheltenham_Blue |
As a complete aside, who set these prices? Fifa or USMNT? |
FIFA, I believe. |  |
| |
| The football regulator... on 10:38 - Apr 2 with 603 views | ZedRodgers |
| The football regulator... on 09:19 - Apr 2 by Radlett_blue |
We don't need the government meddling in football.
What we need is the useless FA to start doing its job better. While I agree that is unlikely, it's better than adding another layer of bureaucracy. |
Somebody should just tell the water companies to start doing their job better while we’re at it. |  |
| |
| The football regulator... on 12:01 - Apr 2 with 530 views | Illinoisblue |
The idea is sound but I don’t see how it’s truly workable. Chansiri at Sheff Weds the obvious example; comes in with money, the fans love him initially then just a few years later he’s not paying wages and running the club into hell. How does a regulator stop that situation? I can’t see it. |  |
| |
| The football regulator... on 12:17 - Apr 2 with 504 views | Illinoisblue |
| The football regulator... on 09:46 - Apr 2 by rickw |
I think the regulation is required. Someone said the FA should do it, but look at FIFA and the world cup - $175 to park at a WC match, and drinks/ad breaks and quarter time - other competitions could follow with these!
Unfortunately the PL and EFL only think for themselves which is why we'll have 6 team play-offs next season - surely no neutral would think that's a good idea, just like a 48 team WC where 32 qualify.... |
After six hours of waiting to get in I finally got through to the FIFA sales site last night. Only eight games were available, mostly lower end games - no England or Scotland or Germany or France or Spain - looked at Algeria v Austria and for the crappiest of tickets high up at back of stand it was $380 a ticket. Absurd pricing. I hope bots and touts have gone big on buying up tickets and then lose their ass. | |
| |
| The football regulator... on 12:20 - Apr 2 with 492 views | Edmundo |
It makes me vomit in my mouth saying this, but I agree with Farage. A regulator will only give a veneer of any regulation. That horse bolted in 1990 when Murdoch was given free rein.
Unfortunately, like a lot of industries, football has to bust like it boomed. Then maybe we can start looking at the whole professional game from a more balanced viewpoint. |  |
| |
| The football regulator... on 13:29 - Apr 2 with 413 views | BloomBlue |
A regulator is a political appointment, keep politics out of sport.
Football has moved from a supporter to TV/owner led but that's because that's what supporters demand. You see it all the time, supporters moan about owners and then moan when their club doesn't buy new players in the transfer window, and then moan when clubs put up the price for tickets. Fans want the money from the TV/owners to buy players for example
I don't see how a regulator can stop that.
Yes a regulator maybe able to stop a game being played abroad, yes they maybe be able to improve who can be an owner, but the days of Cobbolds has long gone from football. The world has changed not just football, now we have people who want to watch a game live via streaming, ie we want to view it via TV/streaming apps, but we don't want them to control it. That isn't going to happen.
We're never going back to supporters attending games only, with highlights on MOTD, and a few live games. With the main money coming from the fans attending, that horse bolted in the 80s
Ultimately it will cause negative impact, it will end up the same as VAR.
Thousands of fans called for VAR, thousands now don't want VAR - probably a lot of the same people in both camps
As far as I'm concerned football tradition, is let football clubs control the league, not a regulator. |  | | |
| The football regulator... on 18:59 - Apr 2 with 306 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
I don't think we should need a football regulator.
However, since the authorities in charge of the game have proven themselves incapable of regulating owners effectively (or even promptly and fairly applying their own rules), I would say we do need one.
The issue is whether the regulator will have the right powers and be effective. Clearly the aim is that the regulator will protect fans from owners like those at Sheffield Wednesday etc. |  |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
