News
Government announces new independent regulator to ‘protect long-term future of English football’
Many feel the reform is long overdue and are now wondering if the regulations will apply retroactively.
The UK government has revealed a bold new plan aimed at “protecting the long-term future of English football”, the main feature of which is a long-called-for independent regulator.
Announced on Wednesday evening, the new UK reform and installation of the English pyramid’s first-ever football regulator is set to be established imminently and tasked with overseeing the financial sustainability of the game and, crucially, putting “fans back at the heart of how football is run”.
Not only will the independent regulator look to ensure clubs don’t go bust as we have nearly seen on a number of occasions in recent years, it will also add extra layers of scrutiny onto prospective investors looking to buy clubs — i.e. the ‘fit and proper persons test’ the likes of Gary Neville have suggested in the past.
Sport minister Stuart Andrew sat down with Sky News‘ Kay Burley on Thursday morning to talk through the new government white paper and its various facets; for instance, noting that anyone wanting to play football will have to apply for new pro license in order to do so.
Designed to safeguard English football heritage, the main purposes of the reform are as follows:
- New independent regulator to help prevent repeat of financial failings seen at Derby County, Bury and Macclesfield Town.
- Strengthened owners’ and directors’ test to protect clubs and their fans from unscrupulous owners.
- Fans given greater say in running of clubs, and key heritage such as team names, badges and stadia at core of new plans.
- Powers to block English clubs from joining unpopular breakaway leagues like the European Super League.
- Plans follow the Government accepting recommendations from the Fan-Led Review of Football Governance, led by Tracey Crouch CBE MP.
With more in-depth assessments of owners and directors now on the horizon, scenarios like Newcastle United and Chelsea’s recent buyout are likely to be much more complex. Many people have already warned governing bodies about the dangers of foreign investment, especially when it comes to state wealth.
In the same vein, with the impending sale of Manchester United currently in its crucial stages, it remains to be seen whether the likes of their Qatari bidders and Jim Ratcliffe will now be allowed to complete their prospective takeovers or even follow through following this new legislation.
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Perhaps one of the most crucial aims of the independent regulator is to stop English clubs from joining breakaway divisions, such as the European Super League. The overarching goal is to stave off anything that might “harm the domestic game”.
Last time round, Man United, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham all signed up for the much-maligned breakaway league which was ultimately abandoned after massive fan protests and government intervention.
Now that there are talks of a second Super League proposal, with dozens of clubs said to have been approached already, the football regulator will prevent clubs from joining new competitions “that do not meet a predetermined criteria”, which will be set out “in consultation with the FA and fans”.
Fan sentiment is also said to be high on the list of objectives within the government’s wider plans, insisting that they will “have a greater say in their club’s strategic decisions”, including controversial decisions like name, badge, stadium and even kit colour changes.
You can read the government’s new plans for English football HERE.
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Featured Image — Premier League/Mika Korhonen (via Unsplash)
News
Police appeal for information after pedestrian killed on Mancunian Way followed earlier welfare concern reports
Emily Sergeant
Police are continuing to appeal for information after a pedestrian was killed on Mancunian Way during the early hours.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the shocking incident occurred at approximately 12:50am on Friday 31 October when it was reported that a Volkswagen Passat had collided with a man in his 20s.
Sadly, the collision was fatal and the pedestrian died at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a man in his 40s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the incident, subsequent police enquiries have established that a call was made to the force shortly after midnight which reported concern for a man walking on the carriageway, and GMP says it believes the man in that report was the man who was involved in the fatal collision.
Officers were sent out as ‘high priority’ to carry out an extensive search of the surrounding area after the report was made, but it was said that they couldn’t locate him.
Due to this earlier report, GMP has confirmed that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to look into its response to the search.
The victim’s family is aware, have been updated, and they are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV footage, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved and we express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who has lost his life, and whom we are doing our utmost to support at this time,” commented Sergeant Andrew Page.
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Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of the 31/10/25, or by using the ‘report tool’ or LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Geograph
News
Stockport paedophile who abused teen girls in early 2000s handed five extra years in prison
Emily Sergeant
A prolific paedophile who ‘groomed, exploited, and coerced’ teenage girls in the early 2000s has had his sentenced extended.
It was reported on back in June that Christopher Oates, from Stockport, was brought to justice after he subjected vulnerable girls to what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) referred to as a ‘campaign’ of violence and sexual abuse 20 years ago.
Oates was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 years old, and two counts causing / inciting a child aged 13-17 years to prostitution.
He was originally sentenced to 13 years in prison for all his crimes.
But now, following a successful appeal by GMP, working with the survivors and the Crown Prosecution Service, to take the ‘unduly lenient’ sentence to the Court of Appeal, Oates has now been handed an extra five years in prison.
His sentencing increase comes after the 45-year-old groomed one of the survivors from when she was just 14 years old, by providing her with a false sense of security, paying her compliments, and pretending to be her boyfriend, all before he proceeded to ply her with drugs, gifts, and affection, and using the trust and control he gained to persuade her to start sex work on the streets of Manchester.
When the teenage victim began to doubt his intentions and asked to go home, Oates dragged her down an alleyway, violently attacked her, and threatened her with a gun, stating: ‘You do as I say, you’re mine now,’ commanding her to go to her ‘spot’.
It was this incident that prompted the teenager to confide in her mother and support services, and from here, found the strength to move forward with her life, while still courageously supporting the police investigation.
From this investigation, detectives were then able to identify a second teenage victim, a 17-year-old, who Oates also coerced into sex work.
Speaking on Oates’ sentencing increase, DI Eleanor Humphreys, who was a senior investigating officer for this case, said: “We join both victims in expressing our relief and delight that the Court of Appeal has reviewed Oates’ lenient sentence and increased it by five years.
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“Oates will now rightly serve consecutive sentences for both victims, meaning that his time behind bars reflects the totality of his offending against both women – whose lives he has so badly impacted.
“We will not relent in ensuring child sex offenders are brought to justice and face the full consequences for their horrific crimes.”
Featured Image – GMP
Danny Jones -
23rd February 2023 
