FOOTBALL CORRUPTION

That this House is concerned by the widening detachment between the fans who love the game and a growing number of football owners, authorities and leading figures; is shocked that the England manager has resigned after just 67 days for what the Football Association has called inappropriate conduct and a significant error of judgment; is alarmed by a continued lack of transparency in football, given that a newspaper investigation was required to bring these allegations to light; is further concerned by the widespread nature of the problem, since there is evidence of improper transfer activity by a number of managers; notes the comments of Gary Lineker that it is time for a proper police investigation into such allegations and that the game is rife with corruption; further notes that the fans of many clubs including Blackburn Rovers, Coventry City, Leeds United, Charlton Athletic and Blackpool, including clubs in Scotland, have lost faith in their clubs' owners amid deep concerns about the future direction of their clubs; and calls for rapid progress from the Government in legislating to introduce a robust fit and proper persons test for those who seek to purchase football clubs which will require clearly defined business plans for how they will safeguard the club's future and which will mandate fan representation on football club boards.