Football League Chairman Criticizes Kemi Badenoch Over Regulatory Stance
The chairman of the Football League, Rick Parry, has expressed strong discontent with Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, accusing her of disregarding the perspectives of numerous clubs concerning the proposed independent regulator. Badenoch recently dismissed the initiative as “a waste of money”, despite the Conservative Party previously advocating for the establishment of such a body during their time in government.
Parry, who represents 72 of the 92 league clubs in England through his role in the EFL, has also condemned attempts by Conservative peer Lord Moynihan to delay the legislative process surrounding the regulator, labeling these actions as “chilling” and “dangerously misguided”.
Industry Opinions on the Regulator
In an interview with The Telegraph, Badenoch articulated her skepticism: “The regulator is going to be a waste of money. When I engage with individuals in the industry, they express doubts about its effectiveness. So, why are we pursuing it?” She further stated, “Personally, I am opposed to it, and the party is exploring ways to improve the bill since we lack the numbers in the Commons or even in the Lords to obstruct it.”
In his response, Parry revealed that he had reached out to Badenoch to share the EFL’s perspective but had yet to receive any acknowledgment. “We expressed our surprise at her opposition to the bill, particularly since she claimed to have consulted with people in football who deem it a waste of time,” Parry noted. “However, we pointed out that she hadn’t engaged with anyone from the EFL, thus neglecting our views. We requested a meeting to present our standpoint, hoping she would adopt a more balanced view.”
Premier League’s Opposition
While the Premier League has actively lobbied against the establishment of the independent regulator on behalf of its member clubs, the bill is set to reach another significant milestone on Tuesday as it enters the “report stage”. This phase will see the legislation and 99 amendments debated on the floor of the House of Lords. One notable amendment, proposed by Lord Moynihan, aims to incorporate the names of the Premier League, Football League, and National League into the legislation.
Implementing this amendment would categorize the bill as a “hybrid bill”, necessitating a more extensive consultation process with the included leagues, which could subsequently delay the regulatory initiative by several years. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy characterized this maneuver as an attempt by the opposition to “wreck” the bill.
Concerns Over Legislative Delays
Parry articulated further concerns, noting that some members of Badenoch’s party appear to be more focused on stalling the bill rather than seeking to enhance it. “The proposal that disregards the Government’s stance on hybridity is particularly alarming and could lead to significant delays,” he stated. “If it were to become a hybrid bill, the timeline for implementation could be extended by years. It seems someone has intentionally tabled an amendment that would trigger this change by specifically requiring the leagues to be named in the legislation.”
Potential Political Repercussions
However, the Conservative Party’s opposition to the regulator may ultimately backfire, particularly in communities that have historically supported Labour but have recently begun to shift towards the Tories. Parry mentioned that he has engaged with constituents from these areas who believe that voters will remember the Conservatives’ stance against the bill.
- Parry remarked, “Several former Tory MPs who supported the bill in the past, especially those from the red wall and northern towns, recognize the significance of local clubs to their communities, such as Accrington, Carlisle, Grimsby, and Middlesbrough. They understand the rationale behind supporting the bill initially and may consider this an issue the Tories might want to revisit as they aim for re-election.”
