Kieran Maguire: Sunderland waiting for word from Downing Street after new twist
Sunderland will await the result of the Conservative Party leadership contest with interest because of its implications for the proposed independent regulator for football.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about how the chaos at Downing Street will affect the fate of the Fan-Led Review of football governance.
The review was backed by Boris Johnson’s government but its future was thrown into doubt during Liz Truss’s 44-day premiership.
It remains to be seen how the next prime minister will view the idea of an independent regulator with the power to implement financial reforms and protect the interests of supporters.
As quoted by The Guardian on Tuesday (18 October), the review’s architect, Tracey Crouch MP, admitted that reform had been “delayed by politics.”
Maguire told this site earlier this month that Sunderland would be one of many EFL sides who would favour the introduction of independent regulation.
The finance expert assessed the current mood as the proposed body hangs in the balance.
“A lot will depend on the outcome election for a new prime minister,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“My understanding is that the Government has got other things it wants to focus on.
“In an ideal world, it would like football to sort out its own problems and not have to and not have to put through a white paper in respect of the implementation of the Fan-Led Review.
“There are some MPs that are very passionate about the benefits of having an independent regulator and some form of financial regulation.
“Equally, the vast majority of MPs have got no interest in football unless it’s an opportunity to win votes.“
In other news, finance guru claims Sunderland fans have been “exploited” as top executives “dance with the devil”.