Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Rejected
Paragraph: 32
Ensure substantive EDI measures are included in the new Code for Football Governance
Recommendation
We recommend that, while in shadow form, IREF should look to existing corporate governance codes and work with stakeholders to ensure that substantive EDI measures are included in the new Code for Football Governance.
Government Response Summary
The government supports calls for EDI but rejects the recommendation for the Regulator (IREF) to include substantive EDI measures in the Code for Football Governance, stating that these wider issues are best led by the industry.
Paragraph Reference:
32
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Government also notes and supports the report’s calls for further action to be taken on a range of issues in the domestic game, including equality, diversity and inclusion. The Government welcomes the industry’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency and its commitments to practices which seek to provide equity and fair opportunities for all. For example, since the publication of the Fan-Led Review, the football leagues and the FA have introduced enhanced equality requirements for football clubs. There is still more progress to be made and the Government will continue to engage with the leagues and the FA to drive forward football’s equality commitments. However, as outlined above, the Regulator’s primary strategic purpose will be to ensure that English football is sustainable and resilient for the benefit of fans and the local communities football clubs serve. As such, the Regulator will focus on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Wider issues are therefore best placed to be led by industry and the Government continues to engage closely with a range of stakeholders on these important topics.