An overview of the UK government’s fan led review of football governance

In this chapter we consider the UK government’s Fan Led Review of Football Governance and subsequent regulation. Its recommendations to enact an Independent Regulator of English Football, with powers to limit club spending on players and protect the interest of supporters by monitoring owner and director behaviour, marks the first attempt by a nation state to control the governance of the football industry. It therefore has implications for other nations and teams outside the UK in relation to reactions of other nation states, making it an interesting case in the geopolitical economy of sport at this time. We consider these aspects as well as assessing the recommendations made by, and criticisms of, the Review.