Fans are calling on party leaders to commit to reintroducing a Football Governance Bill in their election manifestos.
An open letter from more than 170 fans’ organisations, the Football Supporters’ Association and former sports minister Tracey Crouch has called on leaders to back the new legislation.
The bill was rushed through on Friday, the last day lawmakers were in Congress before the July 4 general election.
However, the Football Governance Bill is not due to be debated, meaning time is running out before it becomes law.
“This bill contains key principles which will prevent future breakaway leagues, promote financial sustainability, protect club traditions and give fans a say in their football and how the clubs they love are run,” the open letter said.
The government has announced plans to appoint a regulator in February 2023, following a fan-led review in 2022.
The fan-led investigation cited issues including poor financial management and plans to separate from Europe’s Super Leagues and said regulators were needed to ensure the long-term financial stability of men’s professional football.
“Unfortunately the Football Control Bill will not progress any further. A bill is already in place for the next government but I will not be there to see it through to completion,” Crouch said on Thursday.
Mr Crouch, who is overseeing the review and will step down as a Conservative MP at the general election, added: “Lots of people have poured their hearts and souls into this Bill – officials, politicians, authorities, clubs and of course fans.”
Asked about Labour’s plans for a football regulation bill, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We absolutely want reform but in terms of setting out a timetable for what that would look like, that will be as part of our manifesto.”
In March, Premier League clubs failed to agree a “new deal” on funding for the English Football League (EFL).
This was despite Culture Minister Lucy Fraser warning that if no agreement was reached they would be forced to do so by the new football regulator.
EFL chairman Rick Parry said the league “had hoped that the Football Governance Bill would be passed in the current Parliament” but added that “we are committed to working with the new government following the general election to ensure further momentum is not lost”.
