The Labour Party has today asked the Competition and Markets
Authority (CMA) to investigate whether plans for a so-called
‘European Super League’ would fall foul of laws to uphold
fairness.
Labour’s Shadow Minister for Sport, , says that the proposal from six Premier League
clubs would not offer fair competition and would have an
“enormous” impact on fans.
She also asks the CMA to help Parliament improve representation
for fans and supporters in football by “advising what reforms to
the legislation governing this market might improve the
responsiveness of the sport to supporter’s interests.”
Labour is urging football supporters to join in the calls to
block the breakaway league by asking the CMA to intervene and
telling the Government to put down legislation that would ensure
it could not go ahead. Labour has pledged votes to support any
legislation that intervenes.
Commenting, , Labour’s Shadow Minister for Sport,
said:
“Proposals for a breakaway league are nothing short of an attempt
to stitch up competition for a few elite clubs at the top. That’s
why Labour has today asked the CMA to investigate them.
“We urge supporters across the country to add their names to this
letter and show the groundswell of feeling against these damaging
proposals, that would do immense damage to football and
communities across the country.
“This must now be a watershed moment. We cannot simply go back to
the status quo in which smaller clubs struggle to stay afloat and
fans are excluded from decisions. The Government must get on with
its fan-led review and ensure that football is given back to the
people who built it.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
Labour’s petition can be found here: https://action.labour.org.uk/page/80869/petition/1
Full text of Labour’s letter to the CMA:
Dear Andrea Coscelli
Proposal by UK football clubs to form European Super
League
I am writing to ask if the Competition and Markets Authority
would review the plans for a new European “Super League” by
various football clubs, in particular those clubs which are based
in the UK.
The plans amount to a massive reduction in the current level of
competition for UK and European football clubs. For a small
number of founding clubs, entry to the top tier of European
football will be guaranteed, removing the need to prove that they
have one of the best teams. Other clubs will have their ability
to qualify and compete in the league severely restricted.
No football supporter believes that this new European Super
League will allow for fair sporting or financial competition
between clubs and the impact on fans will be enormous. I should
therefore be grateful if you would confirm:
- Whether you plan to investigate these proposals and consider
the impact they will have on football supporters
- Whether you will commission a study to identify how the new
league will impact on competition in this market
- Whether you are willing to assist Parliament in drafting
legislation that will make football more accountable to its
supporters
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look
forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Shadow Minister for Sport
