21st May, Fair Game Conference.

Ardea International was a proud sponsor of the event. Our team is working with Fair Game to extend the ethical indicators to benchmark football clubs’ performances.

The conference was especially significant as it coincided with the imminent key decision on the establishment of an Independent Regulator for football. The panel discussions at the event tackled critical issues such as the power dynamics and inequalities between football clubs, online hate, and the sport’s failing financial model.

A major focus was on the financial difficulties faced by English clubs. The financial incentives of promotion and European football have led clubs to make risky decisions in pursuit of greater income. Alarmingly, 58% of the top 92 clubs are technically insolvent.

Broadcast rights were also a significant point of discussion. It was noted that for every £1,000 that goes to a Premier League club, only 14 pence trickles down to lower league clubs, an issue that the new legislation attempts to resolve. This is despite that fact that there is a smaller gap between viewing numbers between lower league and Premier League clubs. A consequence has been seen in the growing number of clubs going bankrupt in recent years, as a result of coming under financial pressures.

Further, the problems of foreign ownership were made clear, with the case of Newcastle United exemplifying the soft power of English football. Increasing foreign ownership, with the current voting requirements for changes to the Premier League, could lead to a situation where a majority of owners support hosting games abroad or creat a new Super League. Whilst foreign investors in many cases provide much needed money for clubs, they can also stifle criticism of human right’s abuses and reform English football based on financial incentives, ignoring local communities and supporters.

Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO, and Simon Orriss, Head of Legal, shared Fairgame’s views on the football governance bill. They expressed support for many elements of the current Bill but criticised the provision that allows financial considerations to justify moving a club to a new location away from its local community. This, they argued, would legitimise the franchising of football clubs. Crucial to preserving English football will be major reforms around voting rights to prevent just 6 Premier League clubs blocking important changes to the football pyramid.

The conference underscored the urgency of reform in football governance, emphasising the need for equitable financial distribution and stronger regulatory measures to address these systemic issues. With a General Election approaching, it is essential that focus remains on reforming the broken financial model and systemic inequalities in English football.

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