Merseyside MPs have appealed to the government to take greed out of the beautiful game.
They want better regulation of Liverpool and other premier football clubs so that they are no longer at the mercy of millionaire takeover barons.
And regulation should include a cap on players’ wages, better management of debts run up by struggling clubs, improved fair trading rules and a better deal for fans.
Their move followed a series of complaints and demonstrations by Reds fans and the recent Green and Gold campaign at Manchester United.
Liverpool-city region MPs have now sponsored a Commons motion tabled by Manchester MP Tony Lloyd, chairman of the committee of all Labour backbench MPs.
The motion “recognises that professional football has become a major part of the modern way of life for millions.
“The state of the premier league and the professional game is causing concern, but self-regulation by the football authorities has often meant no regulation.”
The motion called on ministers to work with the football authorities to “create a binding framework which will regulate club debt, guarantee the protection of the consumer with rules for fair trading and protect the wider public interest by putting the supporter at the heart of the national game.”
Motion sponsor George Howarth, MP for Knowsley North and Sefton East, said: “Most supporters are horrified at the way the game is financed, particularly the way in which rich investors are able to dominate football across the country.
“It is high time we looked at other financing methods, beef up regulation and put the fans first. That may mean a cap on wages and greater financial involvement by supporters.”
He stressed that they were not singling out Liverpool – or Everton – but felt that all top-class clubs need to be overhauled.
Halton MP Derek Twigg said: “There is widespread concern amongst supporters, financial commentators and football journalists that the controlling interests in the clubs do not obviously demonstrate long-term commitment to the clubs involved and to the health of football in general.”
And Peter Kilfoyle, whose Walton constituency includes both city clubs, said: “The time has come for football fans to be given a tangible stake in the clubs they have helped to build and still support.”
They want better regulation of Liverpool and other premier football clubs so that they are no longer at the mercy of millionaire takeover barons.
And regulation should include a cap on players’ wages, better management of debts run up by struggling clubs, improved fair trading rules and a better deal for fans.
Their move followed a series of complaints and demonstrations by Reds fans and the recent Green and Gold campaign at Manchester United.
Liverpool-city region MPs have now sponsored a Commons motion tabled by Manchester MP Tony Lloyd, chairman of the committee of all Labour backbench MPs.
The motion “recognises that professional football has become a major part of the modern way of life for millions.
“The state of the premier league and the professional game is causing concern, but self-regulation by the football authorities has often meant no regulation.”
The motion called on ministers to work with the football authorities to “create a binding framework which will regulate club debt, guarantee the protection of the consumer with rules for fair trading and protect the wider public interest by putting the supporter at the heart of the national game.”
Motion sponsor George Howarth, MP for Knowsley North and Sefton East, said: “Most supporters are horrified at the way the game is financed, particularly the way in which rich investors are able to dominate football across the country.
“It is high time we looked at other financing methods, beef up regulation and put the fans first. That may mean a cap on wages and greater financial involvement by supporters.”
He stressed that they were not singling out Liverpool – or Everton – but felt that all top-class clubs need to be overhauled.
Halton MP Derek Twigg said: “There is widespread concern amongst supporters, financial commentators and football journalists that the controlling interests in the clubs do not obviously demonstrate long-term commitment to the clubs involved and to the health of football in general.”
And Peter Kilfoyle, whose Walton constituency includes both city clubs, said: “The time has come for football fans to be given a tangible stake in the clubs they have helped to build and still support.”
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