Football fans are celebrating a "historic moment" for English football following the enactment of a bill establishing an independent football regulator.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the bill as a "proud and defining moment for English football," promising it would usher in a "stronger, fairer future" for the sport.
Kevin Miles, Chief Executive of the Football Supporters' Association (FSA), echoed this sentiment, stating, "This is a historic moment for football in this country."
The Football Governance Act grants authority to a body independent of both government and football authorities.
The bill received Royal Assent on Monday, signifying its passage into law and the establishment of a regulator to oversee the men's game in England's top five divisions.
The regulator's inception follows a fan-led review of the sport. Although a similar bill was introduced by the Conservative government in March 2024, it failed to pass before a general election in May. The Labour government reintroduced it four months later.
The regulator is set to launch later this year, with the government committing to consult the football industry before implementing any changes.
"Our landmark Football Governance Act fulfills the promise we made to fans. It will safeguard the clubs they cherish and their vital role in our economy," Starmer added.
In addition to enhancing financial sustainability across the football pyramid, the regulator will prevent clubs from joining breakaway competitions, such as the proposed European Super League in 2021, which faced widespread fan condemnation.
During its parliamentary passage, the bill faced opposition from some Conservatives. West Ham United Vice Chair Karren Brady warned of "dangers lurking" in the bill, arguing it could affect competition. The Premier League also questioned the necessity of a regulator.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC sports editor Dan Roan, "This is a significant moment for football fans. Many clubs, including mine, Wigan Athletic, have been at risk due to poor ownership and finances."
"Football fans can now breathe a sigh of relief as we are repairing the foundations of football and reinstating fans at the heart of the game," she stated.
What powers will the independent football regulator have?
Tough new financial regulations to ensure clubs have a sustainable future
Stronger tests to prevent rogue ownership
New standards for fan engagement in club decision-making
A ban on clubs joining closed-shop competitions and breakaway leagues
'Backstop powers' to ensure fair financial distribution between leagues
Protections for key club heritage aspects like home shirt colors, club badges, and stadium relocations
'Watershed moment' for English football
Nandy highlighted the changes supporters will now see, with the bill becoming law.
"For fans like those of Sheffield Wednesday, it means you can't change colors without fan involvement in the decision-making process," she explained.
"For Wimbledon supporters, it ensures your stadium can't be relocated without your input. It reinstates fans in the decision-making rooms and ensures all clubs meet the standards of the best," she added.
English Football League (EFL) Chairman Rick Parry described the bill as a "watershed moment in the history of English football," allowing clubs to "rise and fall through the pyramid without the threat of financial catastrophe."
The IFR could also facilitate an agreement between the EFL and Premier League on a new funding deal, which Parry deems "destabilizing, ever-widening, and deeply unfair."
Kieran Maguire, Associate Professor in Football Finance at the University of Liverpool, stated the legislation would protect clubs from "exploitation," and the IFR is a necessary safeguard to ensure clubs "are not treated solely as assets."
Miles affirmed that the FSA would work with the IFR to keep fans' voices "at the forefront of the debate."
"We are proud that the FSA was central to this change, helping to enact laws that protect the clubs we love from the worst excesses of ownership throughout the professional game," he concluded.
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