Football League Planning Big Changes

The transfer window could be scrapped and clubs that fall behind with tax payments could be banned from signing players if the Football League get their way.

Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney outlined the plans in a four-page letter to Culture Secretary Andy Burnham this week - along with plans for a joint television deal with the Premier League.

Burnham had asked seven specific questions of the Football Association, Premier League and Football League in October during a conference speech to Supporters Direct, in which he argued that football clubs belong to their fans, that the game risks 'losing further touch with its traditional supporter base' and urged football to 'reassess its relationship with money'.

Mawhinney's letter was written after discussions with the board, and in the introduction outlines some of the league's initiatives:

'As you are aware, The Football League has been at the forefront of improving the governance and financial regulation of our national game in recent years.

'We were the first football body to introduce a fit and proper persons test for club directors; to publish fees paid to football agents and to ban dual representation; to introduce wage controls in our lower divisions; to create sporting sanctions for clubs entering administration; and to appoint independent directors to its Board.

'More recently we have 'drawn a line in the sand` by introducing a Home Grown Players policy and are actively seeking greater opportunities for domestic players with a new Youth Loan proposal specifically aimed at Under 21 year olds.'

You can read the full letter by clicking here.

With thanks to Vital Norwichfor the original article.

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