Matt Rodda Member of Parliament for Reading East
This week, I held a debate in Parliament on the Government’s new Football Governance Bill. I was able to put questions to the Government on the contents of the bill – My findings from the debate 
1, The Government will establish an independent football regulator using the Football Governance Bill.
2, It is “committed to breaking this cycle of inappropriate ownership, financial instability and poor governance practices.”
3, The regulator will involve fans.
4, The regulator will strengthen the governance and financial resilience of football clubs.
5, The regulator will create strengthened owners and directors’ tests.
6, It will have the powers to “give fans a veto over changes to the badge and home shirt colours, in addition to the strong existing protections for club names.”
7, The regulator will require clubs to seek approval for any sale or relocation of stadiums and to consult fans.
8, The regulator will prevent clubs from joining breakaway leagues.
These are positive steps. The Government would not commit to using Reading FC as a pilot case during the debate – I will continue to push for this, and for a football regulator which is fit for purpose.