United Kingdom: Labour government intends to provide better protection for football fans

The UK government of the new Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer (centre-left) intends to provide better protection for football fans, particularly with regard to plans to change stadium locations or rename clubs, and is committed to imposing a "fair financial flow" between the Premier League and the English Football League (EFL), according to King Charles III during the reading, in London on 18/07/2024, of a speech (drafted by the government) marking the opening of the new session of Parliament following the general election on 04/07/2024.

"The king's speech sees a return for the football governance bill, which the previous government (of Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak) could not pass before the election. Labour sources said the new bill would provide more safeguarding of club heritage and bring in rules on responsible owners," reported the British daily The Guardian on 17/07/2014.

Rishi Sunak's government's proposal included the creation of an "independent football regulator" to give fans a greater say in how their clubs are run. This regulator would also have been tasked…