Super League: Gary Neville and Gary Lineker front campaign for independent football regulator
Gary Neville and Gary Lineker are fronting a new campaign which calls for an independent football regulator and government legislation to block a European Super League from ever happening.
In an open letter signed by 22 former footballers, prominent members of the media and fan representatives, the group say it is “time to act” and call for the public to sign a UK government petition.
The letter says the signees were “appalled” by the failed European Super League, which sought to “destroy the concept of sporting merit and open competition”.
“Now we must make sure this never happens again,” it reads. “Without swift and direct intervention, the return of a European Super League will be a constant threat.”
The government is currently undertaking a fan-led review into the game and there is
As well as Neville and Lineker, the letter is signed by fellow pundits and former players Jamie Carragher, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Redknapp, Micah Richards and Jan Aage Fjortoft.
Journalists include the Mirror’s chief football writer John Cross, the Times’ chief football writer Henry Winter, the Daily Mail’s chief sports writer Oliver Holt, and Sky Sports’ broadcaster Laura Woods.
Fan representatives feature Chris Pajak of Liverpool channel Redmen TV, Arsenal Fan TV’s Robbie Lyle, and Andy Mitten, the editor of Manchester United fanzine United We Stand.
Open letter in full
As football fans, we were appalled by the attempt to set up a European Super League.
It was a direct threat to the integrity of the game; destroying the concept of sporting merit and open competition.
Supporters came together with one voice to oppose the cynical power-grab by a group of wealthy owners. The furious protests were heard and the breakaway fell apart.
Now we must make sure this never happens again. Without swift and direct intervention, the return of a European Super League will be a constant threat.
We welcome the fan-led Government review of the game and hope it leads to lasting change on an array of important concerns; including co-ordinated strategies to deal with racism, supporters’ representation within clubs, LGBTQ issues, ticket costs and the distribution of income. All of those aims can be realised if we take decisive action now.
It is time to act. We support:
- Government legislation to block any Premier League clubs attempting to abandon the country’s football pyramid.
- The appointment of an Independent Football Regulator.
This regulatory body would have a duty to represent the interests of supporters, protect against bad practices, adjudicate as the overarching body on matters involving the FA, Premier League and EFL and, generally, seek to prioritise the wider good of the game, rather than allow clubs to act solely in their own self-interests.
We, the undersigned, have a voice in the media.
We want your voices to join with ours.
Your voices are more important.
Say ‘No’ to a European Super League.
Say ‘Yes’, to changing the game for the better.
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