Contributions
1,131 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Fifth sitting)The Minister is nodding on that point. On that basis, I will not push the new clause, because the Minister’s explanation, and the evidence we have heard, reassures me that clubs…21 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Sixth sitting)Amendment 21 is quite simple, and I am sure that the Minister can accept it without much consideration. It simply applies where a team is prevented from going into a prohibited…21 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Sixth sitting)The Minister is almost assuming that the regulatory regime is going to make a perfect world, and that there are not going to be failures. The question being asked is: what happens…21 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Sixth sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendment proposed : 13, in clause 45, page 37, line 15, at end insert— “(aa) professional football…21 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Sixth sitting)Why does the Bill give powers to the regulator to stop clubs entering into new competitions but no powers to stop fundamental changes to existing competitions, which fans might…21 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Fifth sitting)Is the Minister saying that if there is a requirement by FIFA, UEFA, the Premier League or any other league for clubs to play their home matches away in another country, the clubs…21 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Fourth sitting)I am interested in what the Minister says about the sustainability of the football pyramid. If a particular measure on the distribution of funding affects other clubs and those in…16 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Fourth sitting)I was thinking of moving my amendment from the Chair and then I could have directed the Minister to agree with it. [ Laughter. ] This proposal would feel very strange, as Ben…16 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Fourth sitting)The Minister is saying that this is a job for the leagues and the clubs. One problem with the legislation—it relates to the point made a few minutes ago by my hon. Friend the…16 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Fourth sitting)We should always be cautious when we look at regulation. Without drawing you into the debate, Sir Christopher, I am sure that you would echo that point. Nevertheless, the fact is…16 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Fourth sitting)The Minister’s answer with regard to the FA cup will disappoint many football fans. Football fans look to us to address things that matter to them, and the Minister is right that…16 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Fourth sitting)Can I just raise two issues? The first is about appointments to the board. Does the Minister feel that the issue of conflict of interest is important? Does he feel that he ought…16 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Fourth sitting)I am interested in the Minister’s definition of heritage. So far he has talked about the heritage of English football clubs, not the wider game, and that is quite interesting.…16 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Fourth sitting)This is a really important clause. There have been so many problems in so many clubs where actions have happened but there is some mystique about who is responsible. The mystique…16 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Third sitting)Q To follow up on that, are you trying to achieve not a very detailed description in the Bill of what the regulator can and cannot do, but an acceptance that the regulator has an…16 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Second sitting)Q I want to focus on the point you just made. Obviously, Bolton had a terribly difficult time. If this Bill had been passed five or six years ago, would it have stopped Bolton…14 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (First sitting)The EFL have given us their understanding of the current distribution of funding within the Premier League and the EFL, particularly around media funding, and what sort of changes…14 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Second sitting)Q You have described your situation at Cambridge, with an owner who is philanthropically putting a lot of money into your club. Where does a club go to if that suddenly stops? Ian…14 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (First sitting)Q We had a very detailed submission from the EFL, explaining your understanding of the current distribution of media money within the EFL and the Premier League and what the…14 May 2024HANSARDFootball Governance Bill (Second sitting)Q Some might argue that the regulator is there to put backstop powers in place in general to try and stop that unsustainability of clubs going bust, when fans then have no team to…14 May 2024