Platini welcomes Labour plans to boost fan power
EUROPEAN chief Michel Platini has thrown his support behind Labour proposals to give fans greater rights to own stakes in their clubs.
Under plans set be included in the government’s manifesto for this year’s election, clubs could be forced to hand up to 25 per cent of shares to supporters.
Fans would be given first refusal when shares were put on sale, as politicians look to address growing concern over how clubs are run.
City PM has also learned that Labour is prepared to force through legislation if their plans meet opposition from within the game, and hope to have rules in place as early as August.
Platini, the president of governing body Uefa, said: “Personally, I think it is a great idea that the supporters invest in a club because they at the end of the day defend the club’s identity.
“They are always there. They are always watching the games.
“There are clubs now where the president is not a national of the country, the coach is not of a national of the country and the players are not nationals of the country. The only ones to have any kind of identity are the supporters.”
Such new legislation would boost the Red Knights – a group of influential City-based Manchester United supporters – in their mission to wrest control from the Glazer family at the Premier League champions.