Supporters Direct lobbies for tougher ‘fit and proper people test’ for owners

The Football Association should introduce a rule requiring owners of clubs to comply with “basic standards of good stewardship” or face a range of sanctions including fines or ultimately a ban, according to proposals by the campaigning organisation Supporters Direct.

Under the proposal, contained in detailed recommendations to be presented at a series of national fan events starting on Tuesday in Blackpool, owners would have a duty “to safeguard and protect the identity and existence of their club and to promote good relations, and a positive contribution, to the local community”.

The recommendations also call on the FA as football’s governing body to introduce a licensing system for Premier and Football League clubs, which would involve compliance with a more stringent series of financial and governance standards.

READ MORE: England’s win over Slovakia in stunning pictures

The requirement for good stewardship would be included in an enhanced test to determine if owners and directors are “fit and proper people”, which would be strengthened to ban as a director or owner anybody previously involved in a club insolvency. A licensing regime exists for clubs competing in the FA Women’s Super League and, since last season, in the Vanarama National League and the regional semi-professional leagues immediately below it.

The reform proposals are a response to major concerns and dissatisfaction among supporters at several clubs, including Leyton Orient, who faced a winding-up petitionand were relegated from the EFL last season; Coventry City, who have become sub-tenants to Wasps at the Ricoh Arena and were relegated to League Two last season; and Blackpool, whose fans largely boycotted their League Two play‑off final victory at Wembley in May.

One of the proposals is to limit the amounts of money which owners can make out of a club in salaries, dividends, interest or fees – in 2011 Blackpool paid an £11m salary to a company owned by the club’s owner, Owen Oyston.

READ MORE: Wembley’s sullen mood dispelled by a touch of class from Marcus Rashford

The club and Oyston family are awaiting judgment in a high court case brought by a minority shareholder, Valeri Belokon, who argued that the salary and other payments to Oyston-owned companies were detrimental to his interests; the Oystons have defended their actions in court.

Fans will be invited to submit their ideas at the Fans Not Numbers events this month, which will also be held in Manchester, Darlington and Coventry, finishing on 14 September with a meeting at Leyton Orient. Supporters Direct will then work up a final series of proposals and submit them to the FA and the sports minister, Tracey Crouch.

Ashley Brown, chief executive of Supporters Direct, said: “We believe the FA is the right body to implement an improved regime to strengthen the governance of clubs and protect their heritage and identity for loyal supporters who will still be there when owners, managers and players have moved on. We are sure that the FA will consider these proposals with the utmost seriousness and hope that the government will give the football authorities any support necessary.”