ISSUES OF TRANSPARENCY IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL

Early day motion 157, tabled 3 June 2013 by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 48 members.

That this House is increasingly concerned about the lack of transparency in English football, leading to disenfranchised communities of supporters and a less sustainable national game; believes that while identity of owners is a key issue when regarding transparency, secrecy pervades many further aspects of the game such as a club's financial condition, fees paid to agents and wider club operations; notes the believed extent of the financial and organisational chaos caused by lack of transparency since the Venky's takeover nearly three years ago at Blackburn Rovers FC; laments the current state of regulation in football, which desperately needs more independent voices to challenge self-interest and to empower the key stakeholder, a club's fanbase, to enable greater vigilance over its club's behaviour and performance; and calls on the Government to support the Culture, Media and Sport Committee's suggestion of introducing legislation if the football authorities have not progressed far enough to promote sustainability and transparency in the given timeframe, as long as this legislation is time-limited.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Liberal Democrat 9, Conservative 5, DUP 5, Independent 2, Alliance 1, Green 1.