Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to prevent football club (a) grounds and (b) other assets from being sold for other uses.

The Football Governance Bill was introduced to Parliament on 24 October 2024. The Bill delivers on our manifesto commitment to establish the independent football regulator and a new set of rules to protect clubs, empower fans and keep clubs at the heart of their communities.

This includes a requirement for clubs to seek the Regulator’s approval for a stadium sale or relocation. The potential sale of a club’s home ground must not undermine the financial sustainability of the club.

The home ground is often the most important economic and heritage asset of a club so has been given specific protections. The Regulator will assess the wider assets of a club as part of the financial regulation regime.