English football is set for an independent regulator and toughened ‘suitability test’ for owners

English football is to be independently regulated by a new body to represent the interests of fans, with a new ‘suitability test’ for owners.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has outlined plans for a new oversight body to be in place before the next election, with an announcement in May’s Queen’s Speech.

It comes in the wake of last year’s controversy over plans by England’s top teams to join a breakaway European Super League. 

Ms Dorries is also backing a new ‘suitability test’ for club owners, amid an outcry over a Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United and Roman Abramovich’s ownership of Chelsea.

A Fan-Led Review of Football, led by Conservative MP and former sports minister Tracey Crouch, concluded an independent regulator was essential, among other governance changes, to safeguard the competitive future of the game and clubs in England.

But the plan, outlined in a letter to Boris Johnson seen by the FT and confirmed by MailOnline, puts the Cabinet minister on a collision path with football authorities.

The Football Association believes it is best placed to take on the role given its knowledge of the game. And the Premier League is believed to not want any new regulatory body.

In response to Ms Dorries’ letter, Ms Crouch tweeted that ‘the mood music seems positive’.

In February FA chairwoman Debbie Hewitt wrote to members of the FA Council telling them that financial regulation in football is not working as well as it should and ‘change is required’. 

‘Our starting point is that with the appropriate governance changes and investment in our organisation the regulator could be an independent arm of the FA, with its own independent governance using our experience of regulation and the game to create governance that works across football,’ she wrote.

The letter added: ‘Regarding the structure and function of a regulator, we believe we can reach a common understanding of this across the game to create a robust and effective solution to be housed within the FA.’

Ms Hewitt said the aim is to offer a ‘complete solution to Government’. The FA Council includes representatives of the Premier League, Football League, county FAs, and non-executive members, and decides the organisation’s policies.

A DCMS spokesman said: ‘Football is nothing without its fans who are the bedrock of clubs across the country and it’s why we made sure they had a pivotal role in the football governance review, overseen by Tracey Crouch, MP. 

‘We are committed to introducing an independent regulator of English football and strengthening the existing owners’ and directors’ tests. 

‘Protecting club heritage, improving corporate governance and greater financial sustainability throughout the football pyramid will all be at the heart of our response to the fan-led review.’