UEFA warns that England could face Euro 2028 ban over regulator plans

UEFA has issued a warning to the UK government regarding the potential exclusion of England from the Euro 2028 tournament, which they are set to co-host, should Prime Minister Keir Starmer proceed with the current plans for a men's football regulator, as reported by British media on Saturday.

In a correspondence addressed to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, which was acquired by The Times and the BBC, UEFA's General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis emphasized the necessity of maintaining "no government interference in the management of football."

Theodoridis expressed concerns about the proposals mentioned in the King's Speech that would empower the new regulator to oversee clubs within England's top five leagues, asserting that the independence of the sport is a "fundamental requirement."

He stated, "One particular area of concern stems from one of UEFA's fundamental requirements, which is that there should be no government interference in the running of football."

Theodoridis further elaborated that UEFA has established specific regulations to protect the autonomy of the sport and ensure fair competition, warning that the ultimate consequence could be the exclusion of the federation from UEFA and its teams from participating in competitions.

The previous administration had initiated plans to establish a regulator last year, citing the need to safeguard clubs from financial mismanagement and to prevent affluent teams from forming breakaway leagues.

Starmer's government reaffirmed its commitment to the regulator in the Labour Party manifesto following their election in July.

Theodoridis conveyed to Nandy that UEFA is "concerned about the potential for scope creep within the IFR (Independent Football Regulator)."

UEFA has not yet provided a response to a request for comment from Reuters.

A spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport stated, "The Football Governance Bill will establish a new Independent Football Regulator that will prioritize fans in the game and address essential governance issues to ensure the sustainability of English football for the benefit of the clubs' communities in the future."

The 2028 European Championship will be jointly hosted by England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.