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The British government is proposing more powers for the football regulator to tackle fraudulent owners and a Super League

By JAMES ROBSON AP Football Writer

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — The British government has brought increased powers to the proposed soccer regulator to crack down on “unfaithful owners and directors” and prevent another attempt at a breakaway Super League.

The Football Governance Bill would give an independent regulator the power to secure the future of clubs, including tougher tests on who can run or own them.

An updated bill was introduced in the House of Lords on Thursday with amendments that “explicitly require clubs to engage effectively with fans” when it comes to changes in ticket prices or plans to relocate a stadium.

The bill aims to ensure the financial stability of elite men’s football in England and prevent societal and cultural assets from collapsing, as was the case with the recent collapses of lower league clubs Bury and Macclesfield.

The government said such cases were the result of “excessive and reckless risk-taking, with many clubs living well beyond their means”.

The bill is also intended to prevent another breakaway attempt after 12 of Europe’s elite clubs – including six from the Premier League – tried to set up a Super League in 2021, which quickly failed amid fan backlash.

The government said it was a “critical time for English football”.

“English football is one of our greatest exports and a source of national pride that this government wants to see thrive for generations to come,” said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. “But for too long financial instability has meant loyal fans and entire communities have risked losing the clubs they love due to mismanagement and reckless spending.”

As part of changes to an original bill passed by the previous Conservative government, the independent regulator’s remit will include so-called “parachute payments” provided by the Premier League to help relegated teams.

In response, the league said it was concerned about some of the powers the regulator would be given.

“The Premier League recognizes that important elements of the bill can help strengthen English football,” it said in a statement. “However, we remain concerned about the regulatory framework. In particular, we believe that strict banking regulation and the regulator’s unprecedented and untested powers to intervene in the distribution of Premier League revenue could have a negative impact on the league’s continued competitiveness, clubs’ investment in world-class talent and beyond it is the aspiration that drives our global attractiveness and growth.”

Another change to the bill, which is being debated in the House of Lords and the House of Commons, means that the regulator will no longer have to take the government’s foreign and trade policies into account when approving club takeovers.

The government said there would also be a “clear commitment” to improving equality, diversity and inclusion in sport.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.