West Ham vice chairman Karren Brady has slammed the idea of a regulator in the Premier League which has been proposed by Keir Starmer.
In her view, having regulators in or out of football does not achieve much and that Bury going out of business is not something the Premier League should be blamed for.
She also does not agree with politicians who claim that parachute payments are wrong for relegated clubs.
She told the Sun on 25 October: “To change, and to change for the better, are two different things. And the Government’s plan to change football is more likely to create many more problems than it solves. I remain wholly unconvinced about the role of regulators, both in and out of football.
“There are critics who say the Premier League just looks after the hotshots, the Manchester Uniteds and Arsenals. Rubbish.
“In the last three years the Premier League has given a world-leading £1.6billion to the EFL, National Leagues, grass-roots football and the women’s game. Nowhere else in the world can even get close to matching that.“What happened to Bury and others like them was terribly sad but you cannot blame the Premier League for their financial mess.“I’ve heard it said, mainly by ill-informed politicians, that parachute payments are fundamentally wrong. Not so. They allow clubs to remain financially sustainable should they suffer relegation from the top flight.”West Ham chief Karren Brady has a point but a regulator can have benefits too
While Brady argues against the need for a football regulator, suggesting that such oversight might not prevent issues like the financial collapse of clubs like Bury, there remains a compelling case for regulation.
Regulators can ensure a more level playing field by enforcing financial fair play, transparency in dealings, and sustainable financial practices across all clubs, not just the elite.
This could mitigate the risk of clubs entering administration, protect smaller clubs from being outspent by wealthier counterparts and also safeguard the integrity of the sport against potential corruption or mismanagement.
Moreover, a regulator could address the broader ecosystem’s health, ensuring funds distributed by the Premier League genuinely benefit the entire football pyramid, including grassroots and women’s football, beyond just financial contributions.
Thus, while the Premier League does support lower leagues, a regulator might enhance accountability and efficiency in how these funds are allocated and utilized, potentially preventing future crises and fostering a more sustainable football environment
