West Ham United: David Sullivan fumes at government regulation for Premier League
West Ham part-owner David Sullivan has fumed at the possibility of an independent regulator for the Premier League with the government set to discuss the bill in parliament.
Sullivan has asked why the government need to get involved given the success of the Premier League, which he insists remains the best league in the world.
He went as far as to suggest that the government could “wreck” the league and stated that if things start to go wrong, everybody will know who to blame.
Speaking to The Standard [19 March], Sullivan ranted: “The government has shown an inability to run anything. We are now going to be forced to pay for something we don’t want.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world so why change a winning formula? I hope the government don’t wreck something that works.
“This means we will be competing with teams from leagues in Europe who give a fraction of the money Premier League clubs give to both the EFL and grassroots football.
“If over the coming seasons the Premier League ceases to be the best league in the world it will be down to an interfering government.”
What does an independent regulator mean for West Ham?
The new body which now looks likely to be brought in was the recommendation of a review of football governance, which would be independent from the existing authorities in the game including the Premier League – as well as having powers to oversee the top five tiers in England.
The FA and the EFL have been outspoken in their support for the reforms, which would likely help to avoid the accusations of corruption and incompetence levelled at the Premier League decision-makers after the profit and sustainability situations at Everton and Nottingham Forest.
For West Ham, it would mean a separate body reviewing their actions both on and off the pitch, largely governing the way clubs operate within their divisions and behind closed doors. The independence means they can take a neutral standpoint.
Sullivan’s anger likely comes from the fact that West Ham’s success, both in terms of football and finance, has come under Premier League jurisdiction, and that is something he will not want to see risked by a new regulator.
In other West Ham news, Middle Eastern investment is now on the cards in East London.
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