British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said his plans for an independent football regulator will not breach rules on government interference, despite Uefa warning that the move could see England banned from Euro 2028.
The governing body voiced concerns that the proposals could threaten the autonomy of sport, but Mr Starmer said he was sure ministers could “find a way through”.
Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis has warned that the plans, set out in the Football Governance Bill, could lead to England’s exclusion from the union.
That severe sanction would mean teams would no longer be able to compete in the Champions League and other European competitions, including the Euro 2028 tournament England is set to co-host.
Asked whether he would change UK government plans for a football regulator in response to Uefa’s concerns, Mr Starmer told reporters: “I don’t think there’s any problem with the rules, because this is a truly independent regulator.
“But as you’d expect, we’re talking to Uefa and I’m sure we’ll find a way through this, but I’m confident that our rules are perfectly consistent, and that the regulator is truly independent.
“But of course we’re talking to Uefa to make sure that we can ensure that everything is possible.”
Asked if he was seeking to persuade Uefa that the government’s plans did not amount to a breach of the rules, Mr Starmer said: “I mean, I don’t think it does, I don’t think it’s a problem.
“But of course, we’ll talk to them if they’ve got concerns. I think they’ve slightly reduced their concerns as time has gone on, but obviously I’ll discuss their concerns.”
The Football Governance Bill was first introduced under the previous Conservative administration and adopted by Labour after the election.
It includes measures to establish an independent regulator to address the financial resilience of clubs and prevent breakaway leagues.
Mr Theodoridis has written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, in a letter reported by The Times, saying there should be “no government interference in the running of football” and that an independent regulator could lead to England’s exclusion from Uefa.
It is understood the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will respond to the letter shortly and that there have been no previous concerns raised by Uefa, which has been engaging alongside the Football Association with the new government over the development of the Bill.
Uefa sources have indicated that it is not opposed to a regulator as such, and the letter even referred to the “collaborative dialogue” with the DCMS. But Mr Theodoridis did express concerns about the risk of “scope creep”.
He said the regulator’s remit should be “strictly limited” to the long-term financial sustainability of clubs.
Uefa sought clarification around one clause in the Football Governance Bill as presented under the previous government, which obliged the regulator to consider the government’s trade policy objectives when assessing the suitability of an owner or buyer of a club.
The letter also highlighted concerns around the plan to give the regulator backstop powers to impose a financial settlement between the Premier League and the EFL if they cannot agree on one themselves.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who is a high-profile supporter of independent regulation, described reporting around the letter as “scaremongering”.
The Football Governance Bill was included in the King’s Speech in July, making it part of the new Labour government’s legislative agenda for the current parliamentary session.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)
Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
DUBAI SEVENS 2018 DRAW
Gulf Men’s League
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Sports City Eagles
Pool B – Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers
Gulf Men’s Open
Pool A – Bahrain Firbolgs, Arabian Knights, Yalla Rugby, Muscat
Pool B – Amman Citadel, APB Dubai Sharks, Jebel Ali Dragons 2, Saudi Rugby
Pool C – Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2, Roberts Construction, Dubai Exiles 2
Pool D – Dubai Tigers, UAE Shaheen, Sharjah Wanderers, Amman Citadel 2
Gulf U19 Boys
Pool A – Deira International School, Dubai Hurricanes, British School Al Khubairat, Jumeirah English Speaking School B
Pool B – Dubai English Speaking College 2, Jumeirah College, Dubai College A, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2
Pool C – Bahrain Colts, Al Yasmina School, DESC, DC B
Pool D – Al Ain Amblers, Repton Royals, Dubai Exiles, Gems World Academy Dubai
Pool E – JESS A, Abu Dhabi Sharks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1, EC
Gulf Women
Pool A – Kuwait Scorpions, Black Ruggers, Dubai Sports City Eagles, Dubai Hurricanes 2
Pool B – Emirates Firebirds, Sharjah Wanderers, RAK Rides, Beirut Aconites
Pool C – Dubai Hurricanes, Emirates Firebirds 2, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Transforma Panthers
Pool D – AUC Wolves, Dubai Hawks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers
Gulf U19 Girls
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, BSAK, DESC, Al Maha
Pool B – Arabian Knights, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
