West Ham United set for ‘painful day’ in Westminster after EFL deal blocked – Henry Winter
West Ham are among the Premier League clubs in line for a “painful day” on Tuesday with events in Parliament, according to Henry Winter.
The Times journalist reported via Twitter on 18 March that the independent regulator will be moving closer with the debate of the Football Governance Bill in Westminster the following day, with talks already held with KCs to become the eventual regulator.
With the “New Deal” for EFL funding being blocked by Premier League clubs, with the Irons reportedly one of the 10 who brought it down [Daily Mail, 12 March], Winter asserted that it was “vital” that “selfish” owners in the top flight were stood up to by a strong KC, with the contenders said to be “ferociously bright and tough”.
Winter wrote: “Those Premier League clubs delaying “New Deal” for EFL clubs face a painful day tomorrow when events in Parliament bring the independent regulator closer. The eventual appointment of a strong KC as regulator to stand up to selfish owners is vital.
“Football Governance Bill being tabled for Parliamentary debate “to protect clubs as vital community assets” focused on “financial resources, suitable owners, fan interests & approved competitions”. Regulator will work with FA, PL, EFL etc but have strong independent mind/powers.
“Talks have already started with potential candidates to be independent regulator. The KCs I’ve heard about as contenders are ferociously bright and tough, and will need to be. The more selfish PL clubs and certain rogue EFL owners make tricky opponents.”
Independent regulator set to move step closer after West Ham and others block EFL deal?
The expected agreement between the Premier League and the lower divisions of the pyramid falling through went down like a lead balloon in plenty of quarters last week [Stan Collymore, 12 March].
If the same executives who were behind it are also the ones who resent the idea of being governed by a regulator then it seems incredibly short-sighted.
No club is going to especially enjoy handing over large amount of money to those who wish to be their rivals, but plenty of those involved, including the Hammers were on the other side of the divide in recent memory.
There are plenty of valid concerns about any sort of system set up by the government being any more satisfactory than the self-governance that is currently in place, and a huge amount will hinge on which of the “ferociously bright and tough” options end up being selected if the bill goes through.
The developments in parliament are bound to be of more concern to David Sullivan and the rest of the Hammers board than the West Ham fans, although the risk of a breach under new spending rules and issues in a new era under a regulator would be a negative development for all.
But the club’s involvement in the funding deal not going ahead, which saw them accused of being one of the ringleaders, hasn’t exactly painted them in a strong light.
In other West Ham news, an agent claims the “chances are high” for a striker to move to England this summer after talks over bringing him to the London Stadium.
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