Football Governance Act 2025: Implementation

Lord Polak Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

My noble friend might observe that I did not use the term “working at pace”, which as it happens was in the original draft of my initial response. In all seriousness, though, we understand and share my noble friend’s concerns. We are keen for the current ownership to bring the issues facing Sheffield Wednesday—we do not underestimate them—to an appropriate resolution as quickly as possible. The Minister for Sport has already spoken with Clive Betts MP, who has been a strong advocate, as have others, for Sheffield Wednesday. The Minister for Sport is also meeting the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust on 8 September.

[Lord Polak (Con)]

My Lords, as everyone seems to be registering an interest, I will register one as a Liverpool football fan. Unlike the noble Lord, Lord Bassam, I am not alone. The transfer window, which has just closed, was a great success, especially for Liverpool. The Premier League continues to be a great success. I urge the Government and the Minister to urge the regulator not to tinker with this great British success, the Premier League.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

Clearly, we are really proud of the Premier League and of English and British football. It is our national game. However, the genesis of the Football Governance Act was based on some real issues within the game of football and the entire pyramid, and I expect and anticipate that the chair of the regulator will see these as a key priority, while not undermining the competitiveness of the Premier League.