UK Initiative To Clean Up Football - 21/11/2005

Britain is using its presidency of the European Union in an initiative to 'clean up football'. Sports ministers from the five top football markets are to meet on the eve of the draw for the 2006 World Cup to discuss how football can adapt better corporate and social governance. Issues on the agenda will include the regulation of agents, club financing, fit and proper persons' tests for directors, home-grown players and the continued investment in grass-roots football and stadiums. The meeting will also be attended by the European Commission, Fifa and Uefa and the European Professional Football Leagues. UK sports minister Richard Caborn intends to press for an independent Europe-wide review of the game that would be commissioned by and for the football authorities. It could be argued that we know what the problems are, not least lavish spending and financial mismanagement which ends with fans being ripped off: what is more difficult is agreeing what to do about them and getting a plan of action.