Oldham MP: Latics 'miss out on £600,000 due to Government delays'

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams

The long-awaited White Paper on football governance is set to be published on Thursday and Oldham East and Saddleworth MP, Debbie Abrahams, is calling on the Government to bring in a regulator as quickly as possible because "many clubs cannot wait until the 2024/25 season to get a fair settlement".

An initial review was completed by former sports minister Tracey Crouch MP in 2021 and endorsed by the government in April of last year.  However, a succession of stumbling blocks and changes of leadership within Government has delayed the process.

The fan-led review was commissioned in the wake of the European Super League controversy and recommends the creation of a new independent regulator.
 
Ms Abrahams said: “Labour welcomes the white paper’s publication, but it is already long overdue.

“In the 15 months it’s taken the Government to re-word the fan-led review, Oldham Athletic was relegated, Derby County nearly went under, Chelsea changed hands and Manchester United, Newcastle, Liverpool and Bournemouth were all put up for sale.

“The Premier League and EFL still haven’t reached a deal on finances. And now a European Super League 2.0 is back on the table.
 
“Our message is that there are clubs already on the brink, that can’t wait until the 2024/25 season to get a fair settlement.

“Fair financial distribution must be sorted before a regulator comes into force. The failure of the Premier League and EFL to reach an agreement on football finances means lower league clubs will miss out on £365m this season, and clubs in the North and Midlands have already lost out on £200m.

“This includes Latics who will miss out on £600,000 due to the Government’s delays in the process.”

Among the recommendations in the review of governance in football, were stronger tests for owners and directors, fairer distribution of funding down the football pyramid, and a seat at the table for fans, through a shadow board and ‘golden share’ in significant club decisions.

The Labour MP added: “Football clubs, like Latics, are at the heart of communities. They’re much more than businesses, but great sources of pride in our towns.

“Delays to the white paper have already cost lower league clubs millions of pounds this season.

“Many clubs are on the brink, and can’t wait another two years for a fair deal.

“We can’t have any more dithering from the Government and they should bring in the legislation needed to establish a proper regulator urgently.”

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