PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

Delayed kick-off to All Party Football Group Inquiry into Football and its Finances

With regret, the All-Party Football Group has announced that it is delaying the start of its Inquiry into Football and its Finances. The Inquiry was due to kick-off by hearing from supporters’ groups on Monday 9 June between 3-5pm. However, this clashes with the Chancellor’s Euro statement and this has necessitated postponing the first Inquiry fixture.

The Inquiry will now hear from Supporters’ Groups on Thursday 26 June between 5-7pm. The session will take place in the Attlee Room in Portcullis House, Westminster.

The Group will hear evidence from:

5-5.30pm: Malcolm Clarke, co-chair, Football Supporters’ Federation

Ian Todd, co-chair, Football Supporters’ Federation

Steven Powell, Development Officer, Football Supporters’ Federation

5.30—6.30pm: Julian Spencer, chair, Independent Manchester United Supporters Association

Mark Longden, vice-chair, Independent Manchester United Supporters Association

Steve Beck, chair, York City Supporters Trust

Lawrence Lowne, Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association

Erik Samuelson, Finance Director, AFC Wimbledon

6.30-7pm: Andy Burnham MP, chair, Supporters Direct

Brian Lomax, Managing Director, Supporters Direct

CONTINUED OVER

However, the session scheduled to take place on Thursday 12 June in the MacMillan Room in Portcullis House between 6-8pm will go ahead as planned.

On 12 June, the Group will hear evidence from:

6-6.45pm: David Conn, The Independent

Mihir Bose, Daily Telegraph

6.45-7.30pm: Dr Rory Miller, Liverpool University Football Industry Group

Professor Tom Cannon, Kingston Business School

7.30-8pm: Dr Chris Gamble, Independent Football Commission

A third session is scheduled to take place on Monday 30 June in the Attlee Room in Portcullis House between 2-4pm. Further details about this session will be released shortly once the full line up of witnesses has been confirmed.

All the All Party Football Group Inquiry sessions will be open to journalists and members of the public.

-- ENDS --

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Inquiry will cover all aspects of football finances with particular reference to:

· The impact of new broadcasting contracts on football’s finances

· The cost of success in today’s increasingly competitive game

· The increasing cost to fans of being a football supporter

· The growing divide between the Premiership and the Nationwide League

· The impact of increasing wage bills on clubs

· The role of Government in supporting the national game

· The importance of maintaining support for grassroots football

2. The following MPs and Peers from the Group will form a panel that will consider the submissions and hear presentations from interested parties:

3. The Inquiry has already received many written submissions from a wide variety of groups and individuals with an interest in the game. Any further submissions should be sent to alankeenmp@parliament.uk The postal address is Alan Keen MP, Chair, All Party Football Group Inquiry, House of Commons, LONDON SW1A OAA.

4. The All Party Football Group is one of the largest all party groups in Parliament. Currently it has over 150 members. Its officers are:

Chair: Alan Keen MP

Vice-Chair: Claire Ward MP

Vice-Chair: John Greenway MP

Vice-Chair: Bob Russell MP

Secretary: Peter Pike MP

Treasurer: Clive Betts MP

5. For more information about this release, please contact:

alankeenmp@parliament.uk