Alongside their peers in the so-called ‘Big Six’, Arsenal are among the most powerful voices in English and European football.
The Premier League’s constitution allows changes to league rules to be vetoed if seven or more club vote against, giving the Big Six voting bloc huge sway.
General view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023 in L...
And while they do not always side with one another (such as in Man City’s case against the Premier League’s associated party transaction rules), they have created an environment that favours the elite.
What’s more Arsenal managing director Richard Garlick sits on the board of the European Club Association, the most powerful representative of clubs on the continent.
However, it continues to appear as though the North London club, as well as their peer group, are not happy with their level of influence.
Independent regulator opposed by Arsenal reintroduced by Labour
The concept of a government-backed independent regulator was introduced in Tracey Crouch MP’s Fan-Led Review of Football Governance in 2021.
Since then, a number of Premier League club owners and chairs have voiced their explicit opposition to the plan.
Arsenal and the Big Six have remained publicly silent, although that is believed to be because the Review was itself sparked by their decision to create the failed European Super League.
However, it has been repeatedly reported that Arsenal are among the clubs who oppose independent regulation.
It briefly moved off the legislative agenda during Liz Truss’s premiership in Downing Street but subsequently began making its way through Parliament again.
Progress was halted when the general election was announced.
But now, as relayed by BBC Sport today, the new Labour government have reintroduced the regulator in the King’s speech, the opportunity for the incoming cabinet to outline its legislative agenda for the year.
The news has been broadly welcomed by supporters but will be a source of deep concern for the Gunners and others.
TBR Analysis: Why do Arsenal fear an independent regulator?
Many senior figures at Premier League clubs believe increased red tape will repel foreign investment in the Premier League.
For Arsenal owners Stan Kroenke, this would make it more difficult to secure maximum value when the time comes to sell the club.
Stan Kroenke of the Los Angeles Rams on the sideline during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at SoFi Stadium on October 8, 2023 in Inglewood,...
Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images
There is no indication that this will be any time soon, but the Missouri-born billionaire sees the club as a capital appreciation project and will one day want to generate a huge return.
There are also concerns from Arsenal and others that the regulator will have the power to increase solidarity payments from the Premier League to the rest of the pyramid.
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