Keir Starmer is in the middle of a new controversy related to freebies as it has come to light that the Premier League and top clubs have given away over £100,000 worth of gifts to MPs, including the prime minister and nine cabinet ministers, during the fight over a potential new football regulator. The Premier League officials organized various giveaways while expressing concerns that a stringent watchdog could harm the appeal of football in the UK. MPs were treated to hospitality at games, invites to the Brit awards, and even Taylor Swift concert tickets.
According to the Observer’s analysis, more than a third of the new cabinet members and at least 60 MPs, with 41 from Labour, have benefited from the generosity of the Premier League and its clubs over the past three years. The gifts, including hospitality and tickets, could amount to up to £4,000 for a single event. Clive Betts, the Labour MP and chair of the all-party parliamentary group on football, viewed these giveaways as part of a larger campaign to influence the regulatory framework.
The proposal for a new regulator was put forth in 2021 following a review of football governance by former sports minister Tracey Crouch. The Premier League and its clubs, who are against the idea, stepped up their efforts by providing MPs with giveaways exceeding £11,500 in 2022, over £28,000 in 2023, and more than £68,000 in the initial nine months of 2024. This marked a significant increase compared to the giveaways amounting to less than £5,500 in 2018.
As discussions around the football governance bill continued, the Premier League not only offered courtesy tickets to non-football events but also hosted parliamentary receptions. The chief executive of the Premier League, Richard Masters, voiced concerns about the potential risks involved in altering a successful industry. One contentious issue revolves around whether the regulator should have oversight over the Premier League’s parachute payments for relegated clubs.
Former sports minister Tracey Crouch expressed optimism about the passage of a new football governance bill, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling promises made to fans. However, there have been mixed reactions among MPs regarding the acceptance of such gifts and hospitality. While some have no qualms about it, others believe it could influence decision-making and should be approached with caution. Labour has affirmed its commitment to regulating the industry, regardless of the hospitality received.
In response to the growing concerns, Keir Starmer has pledged to revamp the rules governing the acceptance of gifts and has already reimbursed £6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality, including the value of the Taylor Swift concert tickets funded by the Premier League. A spokesperson for the Premier League defended their stakeholder engagement practices, stating that engaging with various individuals, including MPs, is a standard industry practice.
As the debate over football governance and the role of regulators continues, the influence of such giveaways on decision-makers and the industry as a whole remains a topic of contention. The need for transparency and ethical conduct in the realm of political lobbying and policymaking is increasingly being emphasized by various stakeholders.