Football Governance Bill: Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy warns peers against trying to block bill in House of Lords
Supporters’ groups and the Football League were among those to welcome the bill, but the Premier League expressed concern that the regulator would have “unprecedented and untested powers to intervene in revenue distribution”.
The Premier League also said it could have a “negative impact on competitiveness, clubs’ investment in world-class talent and our desire to drive our global appeal and growth”.
It is in talks with the government to persuade it to amend the legislative framework to avoid what it calls “unintended consequences”.
The legislation has also faced opposition from peers including West Ham United deputy chairman Baroness Brady, who told the House of Lords there was “danger lurking in this bill”.
“This unprecedented interference with private commercial rights must be scrutinized,” Brady said on Monday.
“This is clearly having a disparate and disproportionate impact on Premier League clubs. It is also clear that the consequences of this seismic and deeply flawed intervention are not yet fully understood.”
However, responding to multiple proposed amendments, Blunkett said: “What the hell is going on?
“It is absolutely right that we in the House should scrutinize, make legitimate arguments and challenge such bills.
“But I say to the Premier League, and to those who have been briefed on the nature of the committee debate over the past three days: go too far and you run the risk of it because at some point millions of fans may know What’s going on with the filibuster in this committee, they’re going to be furious when they find out.”
The Premier League has been contacted for comment.
