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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Rachael Burford

Gary Neville: Government has open goal for football regulation

Former footballer Gary Neville appeared at the Labour conference on Monday to discuss the future of the game.

The ex-Manchester United and England defender, along with EFL chairman Rick Parry and shadow sports secretary Lucy Powell, said the English professional game needed to be more financially sustainable and deliver a better deal for fans through regulation.

Mr Neville argued that the Government’s fan-led review, which outlines plans for mandatory diversity and inclusion plans for all clubs as well as new rules over vetting club owner, should be implemented by the new Prime Minister.

“The ball has already been crossed into the box,” said the Salford City co-owner reffering to the recommendations in the report.

“All Liz Truss has to do is head it into the back of the net.”

Mr Neville added that he was alarmed that the government reportedly plans to ditch plans for a football-wide regulator.

He said there was broad support from politicians and football clubs across the UK for an independent regulator, but added: "There are a few Premier League clubs who aren't in favour because they're voting to have less money, but they'll get used to it."

Ms Powell said that if the Tories do not bring the recommendations into effect, the Labour party would "have no choice but to make it a party political issue".

Mr Neville had earlier criticised Kwasi Kwarteng’s “mini budget”, saying the tax cuts for the wealthy in the cost of living crisis were “immoral”.

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