21 January 2008
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to meet with the FA and Premier League to draw up a rigorous "fit and proper person" test for football club ownership."
Details of Petition:
"With English football clubs being bought up left right and centre, it is time the FA and Premier League drew up a far more rigorous test of what constitutes a "fit and proper person", when it comes to owning, or holding a significant stake in, a football club. This petition urges the Prime Minister to do everything possible to assist the football authorities in ensuring that our national game is not sold off into the hands of unfit, corrupt, people, either by choice or by means of aggressive takeover. This is our national game and its future should be a concern for the government."
Read the Government’s response
The Government is committed to ensuring that all football clubs are run in the best possible way and that they remain a focal point of their local community, including for the clubs’ supporters.
Governance is primarily a matter for Football itself, but the Government has been clear that the Football Authorities and clubs must demonstrate modern, competent governance and financial transparency if they are to protect the future integrity of the game.
Both the Premier League and the Football League introduced a fit and proper test (FAPT) for Directors of football clubs in the summer of 2004. No-one convicted of a range of offences, including fraud, theft and being subject to football banning order, will be able to be a director of a club.
The Government welcomes the Fit and Proper Person Test in this regard which already goes further than normal company regulations and is tailored to the ownership of Football clubs.
Further possible action is possible if requested by the Football Authorities and the Government will continue to work closely with them to ensure they have the tools to govern the modern game effectively.