Andy Burnham and Fair Game join forces to call for urgent change to Bill to protect FA Cup replays
“Events of this season have led to rising concern amongst supporters at all levels that the football authorities are running the game in the interests of the few and not the many. If the new regulator is to be effective, it must be given powers to act to secure the health of the whole football pyramid.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester, & Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO
Fair Game’s new report exposes football’s failed financial flow
“If the proposed football regulator is to achieve its No 1 objective of securing the financial sustainability of the game then it must take full control of football’s financial flow. Leaving it in the hands of the current football authorities, as the data proves, is the road to ruin,” said Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game
Decision to scrap Cup replays is ‘short-sighted and misguided’
“The move is yet another example why football needs a strong and independent regulator that can ensure the financial future of our game and control the rampant self-interest of the fat cats at the top of the Premier League,” said Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game
Fair Game calls for ‘extensive rewrite’ of Regulator’s financial powers
“The Bill appears to absolve the regulator of any responsibility over financial flow. Only the Premier League or the EFL can propose a financial deal. The National League aren't even at the table. And as for fans and the communities clubs are based in they are not even in the footnotes. If the Regulator is going to achieve its primary objectives of achieving the financial sustainability of the football pyramid, then at first glance Part Six of the Bill [The distribution of Revenue] needs an extensive rewrite.” Mike Baker, Fair Game Director of Advocacy
New dawn for football, but without power to intervene the regulator will be toothless, says Fair Game
“Financial stability has to be the key priority to support the pyramid and this is the overriding purpose of having an Independent Regulator. The regulator must have the power to step in and ensure any financial deal between the Premier League and the EFL delivers for the entire football pyramid. Football needs a fair financial flow. Without the power to intervene, it will be toothless from the start.” Mike Baker, Fair Game Director of Advocacy
Fair Game UK Appoints Carrie Dunn as Deputy CEO to Lead Impactful Change in Women’s Football
Fair Game UK has announced renowned writer and academic specialist Carrie Dunn as Deputy CEO, and lead on the organisation’s strategy within women’s football.
New report calls for environmental measures to be included in regulator’s remit
Environmental measures are urgently needed within the Independent Regulator for English Football remit, before it’s too late.
“This is not only a responsibility but also an opportunity to showcase effective regulation and position English football as a global leader in tackling the climate emergency” - Steve Radley, Projects Director
New report identifies the nine pillars needed to make independent regulator a success
Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said:
“The regulator must be transparent, it must have teeth, and it must be able to ensure a fair financial flow that rewards well-run clubs. It can be done. Our report provides the template. It is now up to our politicians to deliver and ensure the game has the sustainability that well-run clubs, fans and communities desperately need.”
Threat of European Super League shows need for better governance in football
Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said:
“The European Super League is not in the wider interests of the sport and undermines national leagues and grass roots football. The devil is in the details, but what is essential is that such a venture cannot ever be allowed to pass.
It is now up to the incoming independent regulator to put the final nail in the coffin of the European Super League.”
Fair Game joins Union of European Clubs
Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said:
“This is a fantastic piece of news. Today, Fair Game has been given the European stamp of approval, and our voice has grown dramatically overnight. This partnership is a real shot in the arm for those who want a fairer future for football.”
Fair Game delivers its verdict on Football Governance Bill
Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said:
““Football stands at a critical juncture, there is a prevailing need to resist pressures to dilute the regulator's authority and to ensure it has the teeth to deliver.”
Nottingham Forest had just five hours of reserves, according to Fair Game survey
Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said:
“It is now abundantly clear that football in England urgently needs a culture change and the regulator must be given full and comprehensive powers to deliver it. The current reliance on punishment has clearly failed. Overspending and financial recklessness remains commonplace.”
Fair Game hails King’s Speech as ‘historic moment for football’
“Today’s announcement is a historic moment for football and represents a real chance to end the cycle of overspending and mismanagement that has plagued our National Game and threatened the very existence of our clubs.
"Right now clubs like Sheffield Wednesday, Reading and Scunthorpe United are staring into the abyss.
"There will be intense pressure to weaken the regulator’s remit at a time when proper protection and scrutiny of our National Game is needed more than ever.
“Those tasked with setting up the regulator must resist that pressure and remain laser-focused to deliver a fairer future for football and the culture change the sport desperately needs.
“Reckless spending, disconnect between clubs and their communities, and lip service to equality standards must be consigned to the rubbish bin of history. This transformation can only be achieved if the regulator has the teeth and resources to deliver.”
Niall Couper
Fair Game teams up with Elite Sports Marketing in ground-breaking deal
“We are delighted to have secured this partnership. Along with ESM’s innovative web-platform their approach to partnerships has built them a reputation for integrity across the world of football. It’s clear that there is both ESM and Fair Game support the aim of stopping more clubs going bust by achieving greater fairness and sustainability in football.”
Niall Couper
Legendary referee Hackett slams “decline in the standards of refereeing”
“There are some referees that have reached the dizzying heights [of the Premier League] who have shortfalls in capability and I don’t think they are good enough.”
Keith Hackett
New Governance Code for Football revealed for the first time by Fair Game
Greg Campbell, co-author of Code, said:
“Good governance is at the heart of sustainability for any organisation or business. There is little doubt that football needs the added structure to ensure its longevity, so that it can ensure clubs are well run and engage effectively with their fans and their communities.”
Premier League deal needs ‘substantial work’
Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said:
“The Premier League need to re-look at this deal and take a holistic view of what is happening on the ground in our national game. Clubs lower down the pyramid are struggling to pay their energy bills and are forced to cut back on community programmes.”
New survey reveals 99.4% of football fans reject Premier League’s ‘New Deal’
Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said:
"Football urgently needs a fair financial flow. At the top of the game the £100m transfer has been normalised. Yet lower down the pyramid, clubs are struggling to pay their energy bills, community programmes are being cut and some are even worried whether they will survive the season.
"The Premier League is the de facto ruler of the game in England right now. Our hope is that they show some proper leadership, back the deal favoured by fans across the country and support clubs throughout the pyramid - clubs that are the heartbeat of their local communities.
"And if they fail, then for the sake of football, we call on the Government to step in and give the power of financial oversight and distribution to a new Independent Regulator. Only then will the future of the game be secure."
Policy Paper fails test on future-proofing, fans and protecting the football pyramid
“If we are to get a Game we can truly be proud of then the big questions cannot be ducked or ignored. Football needs a fairer financial flow, it needs to embed good governance, truly respect its fans, and become leaders on ethics, environment and equality standards. Our political leaders hold the key to deliver that future. They musn’t waste it.”
Niall Couper, CEO, Fair Game
“Nearly but not quite” as Government response to consultation falls short
“It is great news that there will be a regulator for English football, but as ever the devil is in the detail.
“The back stop powers need to be firmed up to help protect the pyramid.
“There is no doubt that the financial flow in football needs to be addressed. A system where the game receives £3.19bn of TV revenue each year, but clubs in League One can’t afford to pay their energy bills, the hiring of a kit manager in the National League is considered a luxury, and indeed a club’s very survival is a daily concern is clearly flawed.
“At the moment, for every £1000 of TV revenue, £882 goes to Premier League clubs, but £32.85 to most Championship sides and just 15p to National League South clubs.
“The omission of equality standards and environmental standards from the regulator seems short-sighted, and we would urge the government to allow the regulator to have the powers to look at those areas in the years ahead.”
Niall Couper, CEO, Fair Game