U.K. Co-Op Party Drafting Proposal For Fan Ownership Of Clubs Entering Administration

Fans "would have the automatic right to take over football clubs hit by financial crisis under plans to be considered by Labour," according to Nigel Morris of the London INDEPENDENT. The move would put the U.K.'s supporters on par with their counterparts in Germany and Spain, "where Bayern Munich, the European Cup holders, and Barcelona, the Spanish champions, are owned by their fans." Details of the scheme are being drawn up by the Co-op Party, alongside proposals to boost investment in grassroots sport, "and will be submitted to Labour's continuing policy review." Under the proposals, "fans would be given six months' grace to take over clubs that entered administration." If they succeeded, they would avoid a points deduction, "which often intensifies their problems by leading to relegation" (INDEPENDENT, 8/7).