Hammers owner Sullivan BLASTS plans for independent regulator

‘The government are terrible at running everything!’: West Ham owner David Sullivan BLASTS plans to introduce an independent regulator for English football… and claims the move has been done as a ‘PR win’

  • West Ham’s David Sullivan has blasted plans for an independent regulator
  • The Government will unveil their ‘White Paper’ for English football later today
  • There are concerns at the Premier League that it could damage their position

West Ham United’s principal owner David Sullivan has blasted the government’s plan to establish an independent regulator for English football.

Following Tracey Crouch’s fan-led review into football governance, the Government will unveil the ‘White Paper’ for English football’s independent regulator later on today.

The document will disclose details of how the regulator aims to secure the financial futures of clubs in England yet Sullivan, ahead of it’s release, has spoken out against the move.

In a statement made via Sky Sports, Sullivan said: ‘A football regulator is a terrible idea. The government are terrible at running everything. 

‘Look at the mess this country is in. We pay the highest taxes ever for the worst service from the worst government that I’ve seen in my lifetime.’

West Ham’s principal owner David Sullivan has fired back at plans for an independent regulator

The Government will unveil their ‘White Paper’ for English football’s regulator on Thursday

‘The regulator will have a huge staff that football will have to pay for. It will be a total waste of money. I bet it grows in size and cost every year.

‘The Premier League is the best run and most successful league in the world. It gives more to the lower leagues, the PFA and grass roots than any other league in the world. It’s a fantastic export. 

‘Why does an incompetent government think it will improve things. In every area this government is involved in, it has added staff for a worse service. 

‘The government is doing this for a PR win. They think it will be good PR to be seen backing the ordinary football fan and smaller clubs but I bet you it won’t get them a single extra vote. I believe in free enterprise, not government interference.’

The government reportedly plan to bring in new regulations on potential owners – such as barring those who cannot prove their wealth is ‘legitimate’, provide an increased role in the running of clubs by fans and lead to the set-up of an independent football regulator. 

Despite assurances that the independent regulator would help share the financial revenues in football across the English pyramid, Sullivan is not alone in his opinion. 

England’s top-flight is widely recognised as world football’s most popular league – but there are major concerns that forthcoming legislation will impact future overseas investment into the division.

There are also fears that the laws may see clubs curb transfer spending. The Premier League has a long history of attracting some of the planet’s most high-profile footballers, but there are fears that the impact of a regulator will result in fewer top players coming to England.

One of the core aspects for the suggested need of a regulator is how the vast majority of Premier League wealth is redistributed down the football pyramid.

The EFL want 25 percent of the Premier League’s net revenue to safeguard the future of their clubs. At the moment the top-flight contribute around 17 percent.

Crouch, chair of the fan led review said: ‘This is a big day for football in this country and I am delighted the Government has acted on the key strategic recommendations in my review.

‘The introduction of a new independent regulator of football will strengthen our incredible pyramid, giving investors, fans and communities confidence in the governance of our clubs, enabling them to thrive in the best leagues in the world.’

Whitehall will reveal details of how the proposed regulator in the game would work following Tracey Crouch’s (pictured) fan-led review into football governance

The EFL and the Premier League are still yet to agree on a financial deal between the divisions 

Rishi Sunak outlined his commitment to the plans when he entered office as PM last year

The reported plans regarding the checks on those buying clubs would have affected former Chelsea owner and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich

The fan-led review was thrown into doubt last year with former PM Liz Truss reportedly not keen on it, before Rishi Sunak re-outlined his commitment to the plans when he entered office. 

Regarding potential owners, the Government paper 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 are unable to prove they amassed their fortunes in a legitimate means won’t be able to buy clubs and the report states this is being done to ensure only ‘fit and proper custodians’ can become owners.

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

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