MPs backed the letter calling for a fan ownership model in the UK

A Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom

Kate Osborne

wrote a letter to sports secretary

Oliver Dowden

in order to ask for legislation on a fan ownership model for football clubs in the UK.

It calls for the introduction of a 50+1 fan ownership model which is similar to that seen in Germany.

More than 60 MPs and peers have already backed the letter, including

Jeremy Corbyn

,

Caroline Lucas

, and

Diane Abbott

.

The letter reads:

"We are writing to call on the Government to commit now to legislating to secure the future of our national game in the forthcoming Queen's Speech.

"The failed move by six of England's biggest clubs to form part of a 'European super league' highlighted how little control we have as a nation over our national game, and we know the threat has not gone away. Seeing what the events of last week nearly did to the football community shows that change is needed. We believe that this moment should act as a catalyst to give fans a real stake in their own clubs.”

In practice, a football club’s season ticket holders would own a 51 percent stake with a ballot on any major changes which would need a 51 percent majority for approval.

In the 50+1 model, supporters can vote club investors out which means supporters can control their club democratically.

In the letter, Osborne said that it was encouraging to hear the fan-led review into the governance of football, which was chaired by

Tracey Crouch

MP, will be considering the German fan ownership model.

Dowden announced that he had “no choice” but to move quickly and launch the government’s manifesto commitment of the review which will examine the potential for changes to ownership models, governance, how finance flows through the game, and how to give supporters a greater say in the running of the game.

The review is going to seek to:

• Assess existing scrutiny of club finances and administrative reporting

• Appraise financial flows through the whole football pyramid

• Examine geographical, historical, and identity protection for clubs

• Examine club interests and league systems and how these interact within the pyramid

Crouch is going to meet with the minister of sport

Nigel Huddlestone

regularly before making final recommendations on the steps which should and could be taken and how they should be implemented.

Then the report will be presented to Huddlestone, Dowden, and the Football Association before being laid out in Parliament.

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