Independent Football Regulator’s State of the Game report: Comment from DCMS Committee Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage MP

Commenting on the publication today of the Independent Football Regulator's State of the Game report, DCMS Committee Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage MP said:

Today's report should worry everyone who cares about our national game and the communities where football clubs play a crucial role.

It's sobering that, while English football made around £9bn last season, 94% of clubs were loss-making. With so much cash sloshing around how can we be in a situation where hardly any clubs can stand on their own two feet?

The IFR is right, the financial risk embedded in English club football can no longer be ignored. They've framed the issue, now they need to show us what they've got. Can they lead football on the path back from the brink, while narrowing the gap between the haves and have nots?

The committee will be holding an evidence session with Chair of the IFR David Kogan next month to find out.