Football Governance Bill [HL]

Lord Ranger of Northwood Excerpts

Report stage
Tuesday 11th March 2025 Lords Chamber

Moved by

[Lord Ranger of Northwood]

27: Clause 14, page 8, line 37, at end insert—
“(aa) a review of the impact of the activity of the IFR on ticket prices, and”

[Lord Ranger of Northwood (Con)]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her consideration of my amendment earlier this evening. I note that she mentioned that the annual report was not the place for the information about the potential cost implications of the independent financial football regulator in terms of its impact on ticket prices. I respectfully disagree. I think that report would be exactly the place that any financial implications that come from the IFR and the impact that they would have on football fans should be.

I also note her letter about cost implications, which also identifies that up to two and a half full-time equivalents could be placed in larger clubs in terms of cost requirements for compliance, and up to 0.5 equivalents for smaller clubs. These are significant figures. They would have an impact on the costs for clubs across our country.

I also noted in the letter that the costs would be borne by those with the broadest shoulders—a term normally used for taxation. I feel that we must be careful about placing a further burden on the shoulders of English football fans. So, with respect, I would like to test the opinion of the House on my amendment.