Regulators to block English clubs joining Super League

The UK government has approved the plan for a regulator, which was recommended by a fan-led review last year.

Blocking clubs from joining a breakaway European Super League will be one of the powers held by English football’s new independent regulator.

One of the goals is to keep historic clubs from going out of business, as well as to give fans more say and put new owners and directors to the test.

The significant move aims to safeguard English football’s cultural heritage.

• Liverpool and Everton handed fines by the FAAMP

The proposed new regulator’s primary goals will be:

• Stopping English clubs from joining closed-shop competitions, which are judged to harm the domestic game
• Preventing a repeat of financial failings seen at numerous clubs, notably the collapses of Bury and Macclesfield
• Introducing a more stringent owners’ and directors’ test to protect clubs and fans
• Giving fans power to stop owners changing a club’s name, badge and traditional kit colours
• Ensuring a fair distribution of money filters down the English football pyramid from the Premier League

“The English game remains one of the UK’s greatest cultural exports, with clubs and leagues around the world modelling themselves on its success,” the government said before its white paper on football governance – a policy document which outlines the proposed legislation – is released on Thursday.

“That is why the government is today taking the necessary and targeted steps to ensure that continues for generations.”

When the proposals were announced in April last year, the Premier League was said to be wary of a regulatory body.

According to the league, it is “critical” that a regulator does not have any “unintended consequences” that could harm its global appeal and success.

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