Football Governance Bill [ Lords ] (Fifth sitting)

Amanda Martin Excerpts

Committee stage
Tuesday 10th June 2025 Public Bill Committees

[Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North) (Lab)]

Does the hon. Member believe that this would include involving fans in political-financial decisions like that made by West Ham United, who donated to the Conservative party? Should fans be involved in that type of decision, or is it a decision that the board should just be able to make?

[Mr French]

I appreciate the point that the hon. Lady makes. I am not aware of the financial example that she gives—genuinely I am not—so it would not be appropriate for me to comment, but the crossover between politics and football is one that we have to acknowledge, regardless of party allegiance. The vast majority of fans, when they go to the football at the weekend or midweek, go to watch football and in many ways to switch off from the harsher realities of life. I am personally a big believer in politics staying out of sport, as I have said on a number of occasions.

[Amanda Martin]

Just for the record on those donations, in 2016 the club contributed £12,500 to the Conservative party, and in 2022, it contributed £9,000.

[Mr French]

The hon. Lady’s comments are on the record, and I will have a look—I was not aware of those.