Recent revelations shed light on a controversial operation by the Premier League, which offered benefits of more than £100,000 to MPs, including the Prime Minister and nine sitting ministers. These gifts come in the context of the battle for the establishment of a new regulatory body for football in the UK.
Gifts to parliamentarians
Premier League officials orchestrated a series of gifts to dissuade the establishment of a regulatory body deemed too strict. Over the past three years, more than a third of the new cabinet, as well as at least 60 MPs (41 of whom are from the Labour Party), have benefited from these handouts. The benefits include hospitality during matches, invitations to the Brit Awards, and even tickets to Taylor Swift concerts, with events costing up to £4,000 each.
The debate on regulation
Clive Betts, Labour MP and chair of the parliamentary group on football, stated that these benefits are clearly part of a campaign. He added that, although they may not directly influence the establishment of the regulator, they could impact its powers.
Since the proposal for a new body in 2021, following a review of football governance, the stakes around the financial powers of this regulator have intensified. The Premier League is currently pushing to reduce the influence of this body on crucial aspects, such as parachute payments for relegated clubs.
Growing incentives
In 2022, the Premier League and its clubs offered over £11,500 in benefits to MPs, a figure that rose to £28,000 in 2023, reaching over £68,000 for the early months of 2024. In comparison, these amounts were below £5,500 in 2018.
These gestures, although declared in the parliamentary register, raise questions about the integrity of the political process, especially as crucial debates on football governance approach.
Political reactions and implications
As MPs debated the football governance bill, the Premier League also provided complimentary tickets for non-football-related events. Influential members of the Labour Party, including Keir Starmer, received tickets for events such as the Brit Awards and the Taylor Swift tour.
In light of these revelations, politicians, such as former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch, expect a new piece of legislation on football governance to be passed, insisting that it would be unacceptable for the government to backtrack on the promise of regulation.
These events highlight the tensions between the football industry and the anticipated outcomes regarding regulation and transparency, calling for an essential debate on the future of sport governance in the UK.
Source : www.theguardian.com