West Ham’s majority owner David Sullivan rarely does on-the-record interviews nowadays but he couldn’t help himself.
As many West Ham fans will be aware, there has been a lobby for an independent regulator to be brought into football.
It would would have power to sanction clubs – including West Ham – if they break financial and other rules.
The matter has sparked a number of very public rows between outspoken champion of independent regulation for football Gary Neville and West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady.
Around this time last year the Government published its White Paper on football governance.
Football to get independent regulator
And it confirmed it will act on a recommendation from the 2021 fan-led review of football to create a regulator.
It said a new independent football regulator would test the fitness of owners, ensure clubs are run sustainably and could stop clubs joining breakaway leagues.
UEFA, the Premier League and the FA currently regulate the football West Ham are involved in.
And the Premier League has previously said it “recognises and accepts the case for reform” but that a regulator “is not necessary”.
News sparks more fury at the top of West Ham
It was announced today that a Football Governance Bill to pass legislation for an independent football regulator is being introduced, as reported by the likes of BBC Sport.
And West Ham majority owner David Sullivan has unleashed his anger in a rare on-the-record interview.
Sullivan, who rarely puts his name to things when speaking to the press nowadays, fears the government are about to spoil the best league on the planet.
“The government has shown an inability to run anything,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan fires stark warning over regulator
“We are now going to be forced to pay for something we don’t want.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world so why change a winning formula?
“I hope the government don’t wreck something that works. This means we will be competing with teams from leagues in Europe who give a fraction of the money Premier League clubs give to both the EFL and grassroots football.
“If over the coming seasons the Premier League ceases to be the best league in the world it will be down to an interfering government.”
Last year Sullivan told Sky Sports to ‘go ahead and name me’ as he railed against the plans in a similarly savage takedown of the idea.
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