2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Lizzy Buchan)
Keir Starmer has insisted England won't be banned from the Euros because of plans for a football regulator. The Prime Minister said he was confident the Three Lions wouldn't be excluded from the 2028 tournament the UK is co-hosting after reports UEFA was worried about "government interference" in football. It follows a bill to establish a new body to oversee the top five tiers of the men's game in England, which was reintroduced in July by the new Labour Government.
A leaked letter sent to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy by UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis raised concerns about "one of UEFA's fundamental requirements, which is that there should be no government interference in the running of football". He warned: "We have specific rules that guard against this in order to guarantee the autonomy of sport and fairness of sporting competition; the ultimate sanction for which would be excluding the federation from UEFA and teams from competition." Exclusion from UEFA would lock England out of the Euros, one of the biggest tournaments in football.
It could even block English clubs from competing in European tournaments such as the Champions League , although it is not expected to reach that stage. The Prime Minister told reporters in Rome: "I don't think there's any problem with the rules, because this is a truly independent regulator. But as you'd expect, we're talking to UEFA, and I'm sure we'll find a way through this, but I'm confident that our rules are perfectly consistent, and that the regulator is truly independent.
But of course we're talking to UEFA to make sure that we can ensure that everything is possible." Be the first with news from Mirror Politics WHATSAPP GROUP: Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here . NEWSLETTER: Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox.
PODCAST: And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell , hosted by Mirror interim political editor Lizzy Buchan and Express political editor Sam Lister, every Thursday. Asked if he was trying to persuade UEFA that the plans don't break the rules, he said: "I mean, I don't think it does, I don't think it's a problem but of course, we'll talk to them if they've got concerns. I think they've slightly reduced their concerns as time has gone on, but obviously I'll discuss their concerns.
" The Football Governance Bill will set up a powerful independent watchdog set up to stop football clubs going bust and ensure long-term financial stability in the game. It would also give a greater voice to fans, preventing boards from being able to change shirt colours, badges or names without approval from supporters. Legislation is expected to be brought to Parliament later in the autumn.
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