Sir Keir Starmer has promised to work to protect the Premier League’s status as the world’s leading football competition, reiterating some of his concerns about the introduction of a football regulator.
In an exclusive interview with Sky News, the Labor The leader brushed off demands for the regulator to be given the power to crack down on foreign state ownership of clubs.
It comes as the Premier League is in the midst of a lobbying campaign warning of “unintended consequences” for their global reputation from the biggest shake-up to the running of the national game in decades.
“I think they understand their concerns and we’re listening to what they have to say,” sir keer Told Sky News. ,[The bill] Supports lower league clubs to give them the financial stability we need.
“But we must also protect the Premier League. We have the best football in the world in this country, and I want to make sure it is completely protected.”
“So it is important for all of us to consult with all relevant parties and ensure that the model we are implementing for the first time is the right model, is sustainable. And it protects all the interests of those involved, including Premier League.”
Sir Keir Starmer in conversation with Sky News’ Rob Harris
Sir Keir Starmer photographed with former Arsenal player Martin Keown
Sir Keir appears to have backed the government’s plan, which has slashed the regulator’s powers since its initial unveiling.
It will no longer have the power to recommend playing sanctions for clubs – points deductions will be rejected for breaching rules on finances and out of respect for fans’ wishes.
The regulator also has no powers to prevent further funding of clubs by states with problematic human rights records.
Three years ago, Sir Keir avoided answering over the Saudi takeover of Newcastle by leaving it to football’s future regulator.
“I think the regulator might consider the general question of ownership and who is a fit and proper person to own a club,” Mr Starmer said. “As it is drafted, there is obviously a role for the Secretary of State under the Bill.
“As we move forward to set the guidance, it may be amended. And I think that’s where we need to look at the details of it.”
As Arsenal fans, their club benefits from funding from the Rwandan state through sponsorship.
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He turned a question on the country’s human rights record into an attack on the government’s efforts to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Asked whether it was right that the regulator would have to take into account the government’s foreign and trade policy, Sir Keir moved on to a different topic.
“I think it’s something you’ll have to tease out in the bill,” he said.
“It’s only at the second reading stage, but there’s that provision there. There’s no doubt that the bill committee will look at it very carefully.
“But… it’s an opportunity to set the framework that we need. And I mean also, looking at the England set-up here, we’ve found that the women’s team performed brilliantly Women’s football has moved forward.”
But when asked if he was happy with non-democratic countries owning football clubs, he replied: “At the moment, women’s football, obviously, is not under the bill that we are currently looking at, But there is an opportunity to learn lessons to ensure that in women’s football, some of the mistakes made in the men’s game, in terms of ownership, are not made again.
“So I think we need the fit and proper person test. This should be an independent decision taken by the regulator with the best interests of football in mind.”
Sir Keir was speaking to Sky News after visiting St George’s Park and holding a shadow cabinet meeting at the home of the England football teams.
The association with the patron saint of England was an attempt to demonstrate the party’s patriotic credentials.
The Labor leader plans to encourage more children to take up sport – especially state-school girls.
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But asked if this meant playing fields would no longer be sold under a Labor government, Sir Keir replied: “It doesn’t mean there are no playing fields now, but we have a shortage of football pitches. There is shortage.
“One of the biggest struggles for young boys and girls is that they haven’t got enough pitches to play on. So we need more pitches, not less pitches.”
But how to finance it?
“There’s going to be a funding crunch. Of course it’s going to be tight,” he said. “The economy is broken under this government, but there are things we can do in terms of funding going to our schools.”
Community funding for pitches is the labor plan.
Mr Starmer said: “What is missing at the moment is a sense of political engagement in sport and an understanding of why sport is so important for our physical health, our mental health and the skills we need for life.” I’m going to lead.”
