Independent Fan-led Review of Football Governance Debate

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Department: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

Independent Fan-led Review of Football Governance

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts
Thursday 25th November 2021

(3 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston
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I am grateful to the hon. Lady and for the cross-party approach to the issue of football governance taken by the Opposition Front-Bench team and, indeed, the whole House. I hope that that tone and co-operation will continue throughout, because our goals and intentions are absolutely aligned.

I am sure the hon. Lady understands the process. This is an independent report and if anybody knows my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford—she is behind me—they will know that she has taken a robust and independent approach. The Government need to respond formally, and I am sure that the hon. Lady and everybody else will understand that I cannot today pre-empt every single element of the Government’s response to the conclusions. I only saw the full report myself just a couple of days ago. We take the recommendations incredibly seriously, and I am well aware of the strength of feeling behind many of the proposals, but I am sure the hon. Lady will appreciate that I cannot commit 100% to all the proposals today.

On how we go forward, I intend to proceed at pace—in fact, I had a meeting this morning with my officials to discuss how we move forward and how fast we can move. The whole House wants us to move quickly; please, watch this space.

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call Tracey Crouch. [Hon. Members: “Hear, hear!”]

--- Later in debate ---
Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston
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The hon. Gentleman makes some important points. We always need to ensure that the balance is right. The principle is that we want football to be even more successful and sustainable in future, which means encouraging and supporting innovation and investment. We need to make sure that that signal is out there, but that needs to be done responsibly. It is fantastic that he is a Leicester City fan. It is amazing how many new fans come out in this place when clubs are successful.

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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We must not forget the mighty Bolton Wanderers either.