The proposed new football regulator has drawn criticism from conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who called it "a waste of money."

Under the previous Conservative government, the Football Governance Bill was first proposed in March 2024 to establish the first independent authority for professional men's football in England. But before Labour won the general election, it was unable to pass Parliament.

The bill was reintroduced by the Labour-led government in October 2024, and it is presently being considered in the House of Lords before being debated in the House of Commons. Badenoch, who has previously opposed the idea, stated on the Telegraph's Daily T podcast that he believes a football regulator will be a waste of money. "When I talk to industry folks, they don't think it will work. Why are we doing it, then? As the bill moves through the House of Lords, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy recently cautioned colleagues that it is "not acceptable to use parliamentary procedures to try to block."

"The Tory U-turn on protecting football clubs from collapse is a complete betrayal of fans and communities up and down the country," Labour's Nandy said on Tuesday in reaction to Badenoch's remarks. We'll help football flourish and return the focus to the game's supporters. The Premier League has voiced concerns, claiming that the regulator will have "unprecedented and untested powers to intervene in the distribution of [its] revenues." Supporter organizations and the English Football League have also praised the law.

A regulator might also have "a negative impact on competitiveness, clubs' investment in world-class talent, and the aspiration that drives our global appeal and growth," according to the Premier League. Premier League leaders are negotiating with the government to convince those in charge of the bill to alter the legislation's structure because they have stated that they wish to prevent "unintended consequences." "The party is looking at how we can improve the bill because we don't have the numbers in the Commons or even in the Lords to stop it," Badenoch stated. "I oppose it."

"Are these things genuinely improving things, even though they ultimately became a cross-party consensus?"Smaller clubs in towns and other places are perceived as benefitting from a football regulator. They are doing it for that reason. "I recognize the issue they are attempting to resolve. A football regulator won't do it, in my opinion, and I've always stated.

So. According to the Football Supporters' Association (FSA), Badenoch's remarks were an "own goal." "She says she has spoken to people in the 'industry' — we like to call it the game — but that doesn't seem to include the EFL, which represents 72 clubs and supports the regulator," the FSA continued. Could Kemi tell everyone who she has spoken to in football specifically? The FSA and our supporter groups, who are the driving forces behind this law that prohibits domestic participation in a European Super League, provide our clubs with further security and allow supporters more influence over the game, have undoubtedly not heard from her.