Fan-led Review and Football White Paper Debate

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Fan-led Review and Football White Paper

Jim Shannon Excerpts
Monday 20th February 2023

(1 year, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Stuart Andrew Portrait Stuart Andrew
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I am in terrible danger of repeating myself, but I assure the hon. Lady that many of the issues that she has raised are included in the White Paper. We have taken careful consideration of all the points raised, not just in the review, of course, but by other stakeholders, as she will see in just a few days.

Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
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I thank the Minister for his response. Obviously, I understand the caution that he is referring to, but as an avid football fan, I know first hand the disconnect between fans and club owners. Does he agree that the owners and directors test, as proposed in the fan-led review, is a workable solution to ensure that the sophisticated business regulations required are produced as a result of the review?

Stuart Andrew Portrait Stuart Andrew
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Of course, the owners and directors test is an important element of the White Paper. We want to ensure that the people who own the clubs are not reckless with that ownership—they are custodians of important community assets. We want to ensure that that happens and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will enjoy reading that section of the White Paper.