U.K. to regulate soccer owners, allow state funds

Plans to tighten regulation of English soccer club owners "will not rule out more state-backed takeovers," a U.K. government minister said today. The Football Governance Bill would give an independent regulator "powers to safeguard the future of clubs and ensure their financial sustainability," including "strengthened tests over who can run or own clubs." U.K. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said the government "did not propose to block state-backed investment," such as the Saudi-backed takeover of Premier League club Newcastle in 2021. Under proposals, a regulator would also "have powers to block English teams from attempting to join a breakaway league," such as the failed European Super League in 2021 (AP, 2/29).