Finance guru: Independent regulator could ‘step in’ after Man United boardroom news
An independent regulator could in future “step in” and force Man United to keep to their word regarding the fan ownership scheme.
So says finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Glazers’ promise to give fans a route to part-ownership.
Some steps, including the creation of a fan advisory panel, have been taken to improve fan-board relations after last April’s Super League debacle.
But there has been no update on the progress of the fans share scheme, which United claimed they were close to implementing back in November.
Per The Athletic on Thursday (24 March), the Man United Supporters Trust claimed that they have not yet received a suitable offer from the board.
Tracey Crouch MP proposed an independent regulator in her review of the governance of English football in November last year.
And Plumley claims that such a body could be one of the only ways fans can guarantee a pathway to a stake in their clubs.
“What an acceptable deal looks like depends on who we’re talking about,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“A lot of the narrative from fans has been about them having voting rights on the board and a meaningful say, but some clubs are never going to want that.
“The Super League was almost a year ago. This was being talked about a few weeks after that but we’re nowhere nearer to it.
“With regards to potential regulation, do the clubs find a way to do it themselves or does someone else need to step in?
“A golden share scheme looks great on paper but there are a lot of legal issues. United have made good noises here but there has been no progress.
“The other option is you force them to do it through some independent regulation.
“But that again is tough to implement, so you end up with business as usual. I don’t think we’re quite there yet.”
United are currently 6th in the Premier League.
They are in action against Leicester City on Saturday (2 April).
In other news, pundit suggests Man United have pulled off “incredible” Bruno Fernandes deal after journalist’s update.