“Football’s Historic Opportunity: Proposed Bill Aims to Block Nation States from Owning Clubs”

Proposed changes to football governance aimed at preventing nation states from owning clubs are set to be discussed in the House of Lords this week. The second reading of the governance bill will address nineteen amendments put forward by Fair Game, a coalition of 34 men’s clubs advocating for a more sustainable approach to the sport. Among the proposed changes is a stipulation that would explicitly prohibit the ownership of clubs by states or state-controlled entities. The amendment states, “The Bill must exclude the possibility that an owner of a club could be a state or state-controlled person or entity.” Additionally, Fair Game is pushing for the inclusion of a human rights component in the owners’ and directors’ tests, as well as a requirement for club owners to disclose the sources of their funding. These changes reflect a growing concern over the influence of state ownership in football and the need for more responsible governance in the sport.