Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the Premier League on the need for (a) transparency and (b) accountability in decision-making that impacts football fans.

Football clubs are the heart of local communities, they have unique social value and many possess a great history. It is vital they are protected.

It has always been for the Premier League alone to make assessments of potential acquisitions of football clubs in its League, under its Owners’ and Directors’ Test.

The Terms of Reference for the Fan Led Review set out the scope of the review and the expectation for the Chair to liaise closely with fans to ensure their interests and experiences are at the heart of the review.

The review is well underway and it is a thorough examination of football in this country, looking at the financial sustainability of the football pyramid, governance regulations, and the merits of an independent regulator. It will also consider the current Owners’ and Directors’ test, and the transparency and accountability of that process.

The Secretary of State and I have recently met with the Premier League and EFL to discuss the future of the national game, including governance, and will continue to work with them as the review progresses.