Ashley Fox MP has warned that Labour’s Football Governance Bill will burden English football with unnecessary costs and damage the game’s future.
Speaking in the House of Commons, the Bridgwater MP said football was "one of our great successes and our most successful export" but cautioned that the Bill would undermine growth in a sector that should be powering the economy forward.
Ashley highlighted that the Bill would create a costly new regulator, with compliance costs for clubs estimated at £35 million. The operational costs of the new body are estimated at £98 million — to be funded through a new levy.
He warned that "the ultimate cost will be borne by the fans," with ticket prices already rising by an average of 7% this season and expected to increase further.
Ashley criticised Labour for proposing to expand the regulator’s powers well beyond the recommendations of the original fan-led review, arguing that the Bill would introduce excessive interference in areas such as parachute payments, fan engagement, and diversity reporting.
He concluded, "This Bill will take £130 million out of football and spend it on administration. It is more Government at a time when we need less, and that is why I shall oppose this Bill."
