Graham Jones MP has tabled the following Early Day Motion in the House of Commons:
FOOTBALL CORRUPTION
Date tabled: 26.10.2016
Primary sponsor: Jones, Graham
"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."
An Early Day Motion very rarely results in the subject actually being debated in the chamber. It is more of an opportunity to register an opinion and gather support. Nevertheless, the number of MP signatures an EDM attracts does have an effect on the amount of publicity the issue it is raising receives.
Local MPs Matthew Pennycook and Clive Efford are unable to sign because tradition says that ministers and shadow ministers should not do so. BUT - if you live somewhere where your MP is a back bencher, please bring this (EDM 611) to their attention and ask them to support it.
The EDM has so far been supported by:
Amess, David Conservative Party Southend West 16.11.2016
Blenkinsop, Tom Labour Party Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 16.11.2016
Brown, Alan Scottish National Party Kilmarnock and Loudoun 14.11.2016
Chapman, Jenny Labour Party Darlington 16.11.2016
Cooper, Rosie Labour Party West Lancashire 03.11.2016
Cryer, John Labour Party Leyton and Wanstead 08.11.2016
Cunningham, Jim Labour Party Coventry South 07.11.2016
Godsiff, Roger Labour Party Birmingham Hall Green 02.11.2016
Hollern, Kate Labour Party Blackburn 26.10.2016
Jones, Graham Labour Party Hyndburn 26.10.2016
Marsden, Gordon Labour Party Blackpool South 07.11.2016
Matheson, Chris Labour Party City of Chester 27.10.2016
Shannon, Jim Democratic Unionist Party Strangford 27.10.2016
Stephens, Christopher Scottish National Party Glasgow South West 27.10.2016