Government's ownership plan welcomed by fans
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fans groups have welcomed reports of a government scheme to require clubs to offer stakes of up to 25 per cent to supporters, but the proposals have been labelled a "pipe dream" and a "gimmick" by opposition parties.
The Labour Party is set to include a raft of measures in their election manifesto to allow supporters a greater say in how clubs are run, including a window for them to mount a takeover bid if a club is put up for sale or falls into administration. The detail of the proposals remain to be seen, but any attempt to force clubs to allow supporters a stake will raise major legal and practical issues that would impact on company and insolvency laws. One football administrator described the proposed scheme as "crazy".
But it is an issue that strikes a chord with supporters. "The devil is in the detail, but finally the government recognises this is a key issue," said Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation. "Football clubs are not like any other business, they play an important role in the structure of the community. This is a recognition that the football supporter is not just like a shopper at Tesco."
Duncan Drasdo, chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters Trust, said: "It is a major step forward and is what we have been lobbying for.
"There are all sorts of areas where the government intervenes if it is perceived to be in the public's interest. Scottish crofters were given the right to buy from landlords – that offers just one precedent. There is a strong public interest in football clubs."
The Conservatives are in favour of increased supporter representation, but Hugh Robertson, the shadow sports minister, said: "This has all the hallmarks of a pre-election gimmick." The Liberal Democrat sport spokesman, Don Foster said: "Supporter ownership is a nice idea but will be nothing more than a pipe dream for most fans."
The Uefa president Michel Platini, however, backed the scheme. "It is a great idea for supporters to invest in a club because they at the end of the day defend the club's identity," he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments