Gary Neville insists he ‘would expect’ the fan-led review’s recommendation for an independent regulator to go ahead - despite speculation that the government could put plans on hold.
The review, led by former conservative sports minister Tracy Crouch in 2021, brought forward several suggestions as to how English football could improve - the key aspect of which was the introduction of an independent regulator responsible for owners checks and financial distribution throughout the pyramid.
Any reform would have huge implications for Premier League side, including Liverpool and Everton, and all those competing below the top tier of English football.
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But according to The Times, government insiders have stated that new Prime Minister Liz Truss would prefer to avoid implementing new legislation, despite original plans to publish a white paper - a policy document setting out proposals for a future bill - this autumn. It is understood that the new government would instead prefer football to work out its own solution.
Neville told the Times: “There is cross-party support for a regulator along with the majority of football outside the top six [Premier League clubs].
“The fan-led review is a Conservative Party manifesto pledge and I would expect any individual opinion to be discarded in favour of the more collective position set out by the government and football itself. The fan-led review was referred to in the Queen’s speech and I would expect that to be seen through.”
Truss indicated during her leadership campaign over the summer that she would support an independent regulator, and while the new PM could still be willing to go ahead with plans, it looks as though she and her government would prefer the Premier League, EFL and FA find their own solution.
Premier League plans for their ‘New Deal For Football’ recently came to light, with more money passed down the pyramid in return for some controversial terms. One of the key aspects was that top-flight teams competing in Europe would either field under-21 teams in the League Cup or not take part in the competition at all - there are also suggestions to permanently scrap FA Cup third and fourth round replays.
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