Corporate Governance in Football

Football needs a new approach to corporate governance to support a long-term sustainable future of the game.

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* 1. A new Code for Football Club Governance based on the Sports Governance Code should be introduced for licenced clubs, with compliance being a licensing condition.

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* 2. As a condition of the licence, clubs should be required to publicly present evidence of compliance with the Code for Football Governance on an annual basis.

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* 3. The Code for Football Governance should adopt a model which includes a proportionate approach to the governance requirements. Tier A should involve the highest level of requirements and should apply to Premier League and Championship clubs, with Tier B applicable to Leagues One and Two, with minimum standards applying to Tier C to the National League.

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* 4. The Code for Football Governance should also operate with a ‘ratchet’ system in that a club cannot drop a Tier in its governance. The Code for Football Governance should allow a period of settlement for clubs who are promoted and therefore required to adhere to new requirements.

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* 5. The Code for Football Governance should adopt basic minimum requirements which will apply to all clubs including those in the Sports Governance Code, and additional minimum requirements relating to directors, equality and diversity, fan engagement, welfare and stewardship.

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* 6. The Code for Football Governance should adopt an ‘apply and explain’ model for implementation of its requirements.

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* 7. The English football authorities should continue to reform their own corporate governance to create independence in decision making from the vested interests in the game, including boards of at least 50% independent directors and the removal of historic oddities such as the need for the FA Chair to be approved by the FA Council.

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* 8. Please leave any additional comments you may have on the corporate governance and codes of conduct in operating football clubs

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