Labor government would consider 10% tax on Premier League transfers | Football politics

A Labor government will consider 10% first division transfer tax, a shadow cabinet minister has indicated that the party promises to introduce reforms to football governance if elected.

Thangam Debbonaire, shadow culture, media and sport secretary, was asked during a visit to the Memorial Stadium, home of Bristol Rovers, whether he would consider reviving the transfer tax, recommended by the former minister. Fan-Led Tracey Crouch Review of 2021. The current government did not accept it.

A 10% tax has been called for on deals between Premier League clubs and between the Premier League and foreign clubs, to raise funds to support the football pyramid. “I'm going to review everything that was in the Tracey Crouch fan-led review,” Debbonaire said. “A club like this (Bristol Rovers) is not the richest club in the world and wants to be able to invest in infrastructure. You want to be able to ensure that the facilities are good for the future. “That requires money, so I'm going to look at absolutely everything that can help increase financial sustainability.”

Debbonaire's comments came as Keir Starmer announced plans for Labor to introduce its own football governance bill that would prevent splits and ensure lower-tier clubs are financially sustainable. In 2021, six English clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham) announced that they would join a new European Super Leaguewhich was scrapped two days later after a public backlash.

In its manifesto, the Labor Party said: “We will never allow a closed league of select clubs to be diverted from the pyramid of English football.” Speaking on Monday, Starmer added: “Too often clubs and fans feel let down by the wild west within the football pyramid. That is why we will legislate for the long-awaited independent football regulator.

“Given the continuous threats of breakup from some European clubs, we have to do this. “There will be no Super League-style escapes from English football during my tenure.”