Matt Rodda, the Reading East MP, was left ‘encouraged’ after attending a football governance bill committee on Tuesday.
The Football Governance Bill, a crucial politician in dealing with the present ownership situation at Reading Football Club, seeks to establish an independent regulator for the game.
Following the first and second readings in the House of Commons, a committee comprised of EFL, Premier League, and Football Supporters Association representatives is now meeting.
Quizzing EFL chief, Rick Parry, Rodda was left ‘pleased’ to hear new powers would prevent an owner from buying a club if the proposed owner had owned clubs which have gone out of business overseas.
Royals owner Dai Yongge, who is in exclusive talks to sell the club after seven years of deteriorating ownership, has seen teams in China and Belgium fail during his time at Reading.
In response to Rodda’s question, Parry stated, “I don’t believe there is any cause to be sceptical at this point. Within football, we have refined the tests that we use throughout time.
“I believe the tests were probably inadequate and unduly simplistic a decade ago, but we have clearly enhanced them and now consider people’s track records. I am not concerned that the regulator will be unable to do the same.”
Rodda told the Reading Chronicle: “Reading fans have had a very difficult season; it is critical that what happened in Reading does not happen again.
“I am satisfied with the Football Governance Bill, but we still have a long way to go.
“The evidence given to Parliament about the Bill today was encouraging.”
The Supporters Trust at Reading [STAR] has been invited to a follow-up session on Thursday.
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