Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech in the garden of 10 Downing Street during a reception for athletes from Team GB and Paralympics GB following the 2024 Paris Olympics, in central London September 17, 2024. JUSTIN TALLIS/Pool via REUTERS
ROME (Reuters) - Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government was talking to UEFA over its concerns about Britain's proposals for a men's football regulator but he was confident the plans were within its rules and would not risk England's exclusion from Euro 2028.
European soccer governing body UEFA has warned the government England could be banned from the tournament they are co-hosting, emphasising in a letter obtained by the BBC and The Times that there should be "no government interference in the running of football."
But Starmer said that the proposed plans to give a new regulator the power to oversee clubs in England's top five leagues was compatible with what UEFA say is a "fundamental requirement" to maintain the game's independence.
"I don't think there's any problem with the rules, because this is a truly independent regulator. But as you'd expect, we're talking to UEFA, and I'm sure we'll find a way through this," Starmer told reporters on a trip to Rome this week.
"I'm confident that our rules are perfectly consistent, and that the regulator is truly independent."
The previous Conservative government had announced plans to appoint a regulator last year, saying it was necessary to protect clubs from financial mismanagement and to stop wealthy teams from joining breakaway leagues.
Starmer's Labour government committed to the regulator in its legislative agenda after being elected in July, saying it would protect clubs, ensure financial sustainability and give fans more of a voice in running the clubs they support.
Starmer suggested the proposals did not need changing to comply with the rules, and that UEFA had fewer objections to the plans than they had previously.
"I think they've slightly reduced their concerns as time has gone on, but obviously I'll discuss their concerns," he said.
England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are co-hosting the 2028 European Championship.
(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
