England could be banned from participating in the upcoming European Championship if plans for a government-backed football regulator move forward, UEFA has warned.
The dramatic warning comes as the UK prepares to host the Euro 2028 tournament alongside Ireland.
In a letter addressed to the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, UEFA raised concerns about the proposed establishment of an Independent Football Regulator (IFR) for professional men’s football in England.
According to UEFA’s general secretary, Theodore Theodoridis, the regulator could be seen as “government interference” in the governance of football.
Theodoridis stressed that such interference goes against UEFA’s rules, which require football to remain independent from direct political influence.
He stated that football’s independence is a “fundamental requirement” and cautioned that if England pushes ahead with the plans, it could face severe consequences, including exclusion from UEFA tournaments.
These consequences could prevent English clubs from competing in prestigious European competitions like the Champions League and Europa League.
Even more alarmingly, it could lead to the national team being barred from taking part in Euro 2028, a competition set to be hosted in the UK and Ireland.
Despite UEFA’s warning, the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) appears committed to implementing the Football Governance Bill that would establish the Independent Football Regulator.
A spokesperson from DCMS addressed the situation, stating, “The Football Governance Bill will establish a new Independent Football Regulator that will put fans back at the heart of the game and tackle fundamental governance problems to ensure that English football is sustainable for the benefit of the clubs’ communities going forward.”
The government has repeatedly emphasized that the purpose of the regulator is to safeguard the future of English football by addressing ongoing financial issues and governance concerns.
With many clubs in the English Football League suffering from financial instability, the government hopes that the regulator will bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the sport.
The tension between UEFA and the UK government stems from differing perspectives on how football should be governed.
The proposed Independent Football Regulator would have sweeping powers, overseeing clubs in the top five English leagues, including the Premier League and the EFL Championship.
UEFA views this as an infringement on the autonomy of football governing bodies, which traditionally regulate the sport without government involvement.
The UK government, however, argues that the regulator is essential to protect clubs from financial mismanagement, which has led several historic football institutions to the brink of collapse.
