Everton supporters call for Premier League to lose all control over Profit & Sustainability Rules

The independent Everton Fan Advisory Board (FAB) has today called for the new Independent Football Regulator (IFR) to have full oversight of Profit & Sustainability Rules and for fan representation on the Boards of the IFR and Premier League (PL).

The Football Governance Bill, which will have a second reading in Parliament on Tuesday, April 23, as currently drafted only gives the IFR partial oversight for financial sustainability, with no authority for PSR. In a letter sent today to all MPs, the FAB has asked that the legislation be amended so it is more consistent with the recommendations of the Fan Led Review of Football Governance led by Tracey Crouch MP, which recommended that: The IFR has full authority over PSR; The IFR publishes guidelines on how sanctions will be applied; The guiding principle of sanctions should not unfairly impact fans, but instead target club ownership and leadership.

The FAB, which submitted witness and impact statements to the Independent Commissions for Everton’s PSR breach hearings, also calls for the views of fans to be considered as part of any sanctions process. The FAB has also asked for the Bill to be amended to ensure that the IFR has a duty to consult with Fan Advisory Boards, other supporter groups and for fan representation on the IFR & Board and Expert Panels.

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Dave Kelly, chair of the FAB said: “The Bill is a unique opportunity for the entire football community to make sure that the right safeguards are in place for our game and to ensure that fans are given a real voice in the running of our game. The step to introduce an independent regulator is a positive one, but it needs to have real teeth if it is going to ensure that it can rebalance self interest in our game and deliver in the interest of all fans.

“The Premier League has proven that it can’t provide the right oversight of PSR in a fair, transparent, consistent or proportionate way. That’s why we believe full authority for the PSR should sit with the IFR.

"And whilst the moves to ensure that fan interests on issues like club heritage are welcome, the IFR should have a duty to consult with Fan Advisory Boards and fan groups, as well as ensuring representation on its Board and Expert Panel. We’ve seen far too many examples in recent years of football authorities disregarding the interest of fans.

“We now need to seize the opportunity to put fans at the heart of decision making at every level of the game and encourage all fans – whoever they support – to ask their MPs to support these changes.”