Luton chief Sweet unveils 12-point plan to reform football after Super League scandal

Luton chief executive Gary Sweet has revealed a 12-point plan that he believes would reform and regulate football to help protect clubs against rogue owners and stave off future power grabs, like the failed European Super League. 

English football sunk into scandal and turmoil this week when six Premier League clubs – Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham – announced they had signed up to a 12-team closed shop midweek breakaway league. 

But widespread fury erupted from fans, players and managers – that were not consulted over these plans to hand huge sums of cash to the participant clubs who would never have to qualify for the competition – which forced the clubs into a retreat. And 72 hours after the announcement was made, the Super League had all but collapsed before a ball had been kicked. 

Last night, Luton Town unveiled slogans on their Kenilworth Road electronic advertising hoardings that made their position abundantly clear, with  ‘Sanction The Six,’ ‘Protect All Fans’ and ‘The People’s Game’ flashing throughout their 0-0 Championship draw with Reading.

And in his Hatters match-day programme column, Sweet set out how the game could move forward, having helped rescue the Hatters in 2008 after the most draconian English football points punishment ever of 30 in one season were meted out due to the catastrophic mismanagement of previous owners. 

‘We need an independent, cross-party review that seeks to reform, regulate and reduce complexity in order for the game to be able to re-establish self-governance with an arm’s length watchful eye. Of course, any such review needs to be collaborative with supporters and clubs at the very heart of the discussion inviting other parties, as necessary, the Hatters chief wrote.

Sweet says he welcomes the government’s announcement about a fan-led reform taskforce, led by Tracey Crouch MP. He added: ‘Crafting a new set of regulations shouldn’t be particularly difficult, as long as it can be managed over a period of time and guided or instructed by an authority that doesn’t fear the financial power of rogue owners. Regulations can be introduced to allow:

• For the pyramid to be legally protected like a national asset of Cultural Heritage Significance.
• For supporters to have a greater formal voice (not to be feared or disrespected).
• For a new, independent FA to be restructured and given authority to oversee rules of the game.
• For the primary natural order to be determined by the size and commitment of the club’s support (not simply by owner wealth).
• For regulations for sustainability and operation to be set with strict embargoes and financial and points penalties introduced that would be instant and unappealable.
• For sanctions and/or points deductions to be issues for making an unauthorised loss or for accounts being filed late.
• For all broadcast and media income to be controlled by a central body and redistributed according to media contribution, league position and community engagement.
• For a proportion of media income to be distributed to subsidising supporter loyalty (season tickets, merchandise).
• For limitations on the broadcasting of live matches and protection of to avoid over-saturation and to avoid compromise of live attendance.
• For financial incentives and rewards to be offered to clubs fielding male, female and disability teams and for promoting and controlling an equal opportunities environment.
• For Supporters’ Trusts to be invited to buy shares and to hold veto rights over material changes to shareholding.
• For the academy system to be reviewed and local clubs’ academies to receive greater protection on the retention of minors.

‘Of course, I’m not deluded. I fully understand that many or most of these regulations won’t come to fruition and also believe that any process must be a democratic one. Supporters need to get organised too. A formal structure to proceedings would be important for the wider voices to be heard.

‘But, if we genuinely see football as a national treasure, we must see it as our collective responsibility to force change for good, whatever you believe is the right way.

‘I truly hope reform is embraced by all. Our opportunity for change is now. But whatever happens, Luton Town is in safe hands as we refuse to risk the rich heritage of this 136-year-old professional institution.’