PREMIER League clubs could have to pay millions in tax on football transfers under plans being considered by Labour.
The idea of a transfer levy up to 10 per cent of purchases was not taken forward by the Tories after first being proposed in an independent fan-led review of the beautiful game.
The Labour leader was at Bristol Rovers FC during a general election campaign event[/caption]
Labour could adopt a transfer levy on English clubs[/caption]
But shadow sports secretary Thangham Debbonaire tonight said she could revive the controversial raid.
Speaking to reporters, she said: “I’m going to look at everything again that was in Tracey Crouch’s fan-led review.
“I think it’s important we go back to first principles just to make sure there’s not something that’s been missed that is needed in order to ensure the financial sustainability.”
Pressed if the prospect of a transfer levy was back on the table, she added: “I’m obviously going to look at absolutely everything that was in Tracy’s review.”
A transfer levy was one of the few ideas in the fan-led review that was not adopted by the current government in its Football Governance Bill to overhaul the sport’s finances.
It could have raised hundreds of millions of pounds to redistribute into cash-starved lower league teams.
Report author Ms Crouch said: “This would work in a similar way to stamp duty and distribute revenues across the pyramid and into grassroots.”
The 2021 paper added: “If a 10 per cent levy had been applied in the last five seasons, an estimated £160 million per year could have been raised for redistribution.”
The move was seen as a step too far after already committing to an independent regulator to oversee the game.
Labour backed the Tories’ plan and have committed to taking it on if they win power.
It also includes a ban on clubs during breakaway tournaments like the doomed European Super League.
Sir Keir Starmer said today: “Our football governance bill will put fans front and centre of the debate over the future of English football.
“We are lucky to have historic football clubs at the heart of communities across our country.
“But too often, clubs and fans are being let down by the wild west within the football pyramid. That’s why we will legislate for the long-awaited independent football regulator.”
