Football Governance Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:48 pm on 23 April 2024.

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Photo of Shaun Bailey Shaun Bailey Conservative, West Bromwich West 4:48, 23 April 2024

My hon. Friend is almost asking for a replay of the replay—that is sort of where the question is. I get the point that he is trying to make about balance and the fine-line argument on Government interference. The point has been made quite strongly, as we have all seen—the FA’s own survey found that 70% of fans wanted to retain replays—and with that level of public pressure, there is a role for the Government in facilitating the pressure on the FA. I think that that is the point that he is hammering down on, although obviously the FA must ultimately be independent.