Everton news: Keith Wyness hits out after ‘terrible’ ban reveal
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Fifa and Uefa are “correct” to take a stand against potential government influence through a football regulator.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted he has had “terrible” experience with politicians in football and claimed it is “wrong” for politics and football to become entwined.
As per the BBC (14 September) Uefa has warned government ministers that England could be excluded from the European Championship it is co-hosting in 2028.
The warning comes amid “concerns” that a planned independent football regulator could lead to “government interference” in the sport.
The Football Governance Bill was reintroduced in July during the King’s Speech following Labour’s general election victory.
Former Everton CEO hits out at government regulator plans after Uefa warning
Former Everton CEO Wyness insisted the regulator will become a “political tool” and should be “watered down”.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “This is a big story.
“Fifa and Uefa have often banned countries from competitions because of political interference.
“There are many cases where they have acted on that – and I think it’s correct.
“I’m no fan of Fifa or Uefa, but I’m even less of a fan of politicians getting involved in football.
“They’re trying to water down what this independent regulator in football, with foreign policy and trade policy all coming into it.
“It’s got nothing to do with football, and it can lead to serious interference.
“I’ve had terrible experience with politicians who are only involved around election time and want their name associated with football.
“That’s just the wrong way to do it.
“If you’ve got Labour in right now, we could see a regulator pushing socialist policies. It becomes a political tool, rather than for the benefit of the game.
“I get the point from Uefa, I don’t think it will come to that – but I hope this regulator is watered down.
“It’s wrong to have politics involved in the game.”
In other news, big update on Dominic Calvert-Lewin talks at Goodison Park.
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