“Premier League’s £100,000 Freebies Scheme: MPs and Cabinet Ministers Treated Amid Regulator Controversy”

The Premier League has come under scrutiny for its extensive campaign to influence government officials, as it has been revealed that the league and its clubs distributed over £100,000 in gifts and hospitality to Members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and nine cabinet ministers. This initiative coincides with ongoing discussions regarding the establishment of a new football regulator. In an effort to combat proposals for a stringent regulatory body, Premier League representatives organized a series of giveaways, arguing that such measures could diminish the attractiveness of football in the UK. MPs were treated to various forms of hospitality, including tickets to matches, invitations to high-profile events like the Brit Awards, and even tickets to a Taylor Swift concert. This revelation has sparked a new controversy for Starmer, as the "freebies scandal" raises questions about the influence of sports organizations on political decision-making.