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Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) – Fan Led Review Meeting 24/05/2021

Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) – Fan Led Review Meeting 24/05/2021

3rd Jun 2021

Last December, Board member, Tim Scott was elected to the FSA as a representative for the National Game Network on the FSA National Council.  Tim recently attended the FSA National Council Review Meeting on 24 May and this is his feedback on the meeting. 

We were joined by Tracey Crouch MP in one of her first engagements leading the government’s fan-led review. It was both significant and symbolic that the meeting with the FSA National Council was one of the very first steps in the process and demonstrated the commitment to making the review driven by the people who watch the game and represent the fans.

Tracey outlined the process, starting with the first of a series of fan engagement sessions today, with an interim report and recommendations in July ahead of a full report in October. The intention is to engage with the whole of the football pyramid and she will be backed by an expert panel who are there to advise and provide critical expertise but not to write the report or to reach a consensus. In this point the review will be therefore truly independent.

The review has the full backing of government who have promised time on the legislative timetable where necessary. Unlike a Select Committee or previous independent reviews, the ownership by the government represents a real opportunity for change backed by political will.

The review will be wide-ranging in nature and will examine the potential for changes to ownership models, governance, how finance flows through the game and how to give supporters a greater say in the running of the game. Specifically the review will seek to:

  • Assess existing scrutiny of club finances and administrative reporting
  • Appraise financial flows through the whole football pyramid
  • Examine geographical, historical and identity protections for clubs
  • Examine club interests and league systems and how these interact within the pyramid

Accordingly, it may well not seek to address fans gripes such as the cost and availability of match tickets, replica strips and whether or not there will be a coach.

Fan engagement began 25th May with Tracey holding meetings with the FSAs National Council Networks (Premier League, EFL, League 1&2, National League, Women’s Game, Fan owned Clubs, fans for diversity) and it is expected she will be joined by panel members where appropriate. Details of the meetings will be available in due course.

Tim Scott 

DHST Fan Engagement and FSA National Council Representative for the National Game