x

Pompey chief on the moves that should protect English football and its clubs

Pompey's chief executive believes the new Football Governance Bill will help make the game more sustainable - and protect clubs from rogue owners.

Andy Cullen has welcomed the new legislation and thanked local MPs who have helped push it forward.

The new bill will grant powers to a football regulator – independent of the government and football authorities – to oversee clubs in the top five tiers of the men’s game in England.

The core objectives will be to improve the financial sustainability of clubs, ensure financial resilience across the leagues and safeguard the heritage of English football.

The bill will require clubs to hold a licence with requirements on fan engagement, corporate governance and financial reporting. A new owners’ and directors’ test is also proposed within the bill - a sore subject with Blues fans as far as some past Pompey regimes are concerned.

Cullen told the Pompey website: "Portsmouth Football Club firmly believe that this bill is essential in ensuring that all clubs operate in a responsible and financially sustainable manner, so we are pleased to see that the bill has finally been introduced into Parliament.

"We would like to thank our local MPs, Stephen Morgan, Penny Mordaunt and Dame Caroline Dinenage, for their full support towards ensuring that the bill has now been sent to Parliament. They have all been fully engaged throughout this process and we are grateful for their ongoing support.

"Their contribution will help to deliver a more financially sustainable industry, while safeguarding our clubs – both for the communities they serve, as well as for current and future supporters of all clubs.”

EFL chair Rick Parry said: "The EFL welcomes the arrival of the Football Governance Bill to Parliament in what we hope will be an important milestone to help us secure the long-term financial sustainability of England’s football pyramid.

"If delivered on the right terms, this landmark legislation can help fix the game’s broken financial model by offering the independent input ultimately needed to help ensure that all clubs can survive and thrive in a fair and competitive environment.

"The establishment of the Independent Football Regulator will be at the heart of this reform and we are encouraged that the regulator will be given backstop powers to deliver financial redistributions should the game be unable to agree a deal itself.

"In recent years, we have been working with Government and across Parliament on a cross-party basis. It is clear there is an appreciation of just how important professional clubs are to their communities and why they must be protected.

"We are pleased that the Government has stated its commitment to the State of the Game Review, which will provide the basis for the Independent Regulator’s work in making the game financially sustainable.

"The League looks forward to contributing to that review while simultaneously working with EFL clubs, parliamentarians and officials to ensure that the Football Governance Bill is fit for purpose and can deliver the best regulatory regime to safeguard our game for generations.

"Finally, on behalf of the EFL I would like to thank MPs, peers, fans and all those who have helped get the bill to Parliament and we will continue to work collaboratively in the months ahead.”

What to read next:

Why sentiment had no room in Pompey's decisions over who stayed and who was released
It involved some tough decisions and probably lots of soul-searching, but Pompey insist deciding on this year's retained list was all about separating sentiment from the cold, hard reality of the need to be competitive in the Championship next season.
Lincoln City 0 - 2 Portsmouth - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
No Pompey parade - but Southsea Common will see plenty of celebration
Pompey have had some memorable celebrations on Southsea Common since the turn of the century - and more such memories will be made on Sunday afternoon.
Portsmouth 1 - 2 Wigan Athletic - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Pompey have new heroes in 2024 - and it takes me back to 1983, 2012 and many points in between
Sometimes I think about something I want to write about, get straight to it and end up rambling on for about 2,000 words. But this is different. I want to write 2,000 words about the League One champions and don’t know where or how to start.
Portsmouth 3 - 2 Barnsley - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Bolton Wanderers 1 - 1 Portsmouth - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Right Pompey approach can bring rewards at Bolton
It could be the under-statement of the season - Bolton v Pompey described as being as 'interesting contest'.
Our feet are still on ground: Pompey goal hero takes it a game at a time
Owen Moxon insists it's still 'feet on ground' time for Pompey as they try to edge closer to promotion when they host Shrewsbury on Saturday.
He's been exceptional - Kamara wins high praise for inspiring Pompey win at Wycombe
Jon Harley was quick to heap praise on Abu Kamara after the winger produced another top-class display to inspire Pompey to an Easter treat of a victory at Wycombe Wanderers.