England are at risk of sensationally being banned from Euro 2028 by UEFA. After reaching two successive tournament finals, the country is due to host the next version in four years along with Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland.
However, the participation of the Three Lions appears in jeopardy amid proposals from Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer to introduce a men’s football regulator, Uefa has reportedly warned.
Labour has committed to plans drawn up by previous government to introduce legislation that blocks clubs in England from forming breakaway leagues, and introduces strict new sanctions for financial breaches.
According to the Times, a leaked copy of a letter from UEFA’s general secretary, Theodore Theodoridis has issued a stark warning against “government interference in the running of football.” In a document sent to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, he outlined the consequences of the UK government getting involved.
“We have specific rules that guard against state meddling in order to guarantee the autonomy of sport and fairness of sporting competition,” wrote Theodoridis. “The ultimate sanction for which would be excluding the federation from UEFA and teams from competition.”
He added it was a “fundamental requirement” that football remained independent from government regulation. And he warned that ordering club owners to fall in line with the UK’s “trade and foreign policy objectives” signified a state overreach.
It means that Euro 2028 could potentially Go ahead without the nation hosting the final involved. And the implications would also apply to other international tournaments, as well the Premier League’s leading sides.
England’s current World Cup qualifying campaign is bound by being a UEFA member, with the authority also overseeing the Nations League competition. Any ban would also impact the participation of English clubs in the Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
Under Labour’s plans, a watchdog will be put in place to oversee the running of clubs in the top five divisions of English football. The rules would also lead to a major clampdown on clubs securing funding from overseas investors.