MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 13:17:47| >> :600:134199492:134199492:

Football Supporters' Association introduces 'Sustain the Game!' campaign

Jamie Carragher adds his support with coronavirus making things difficult for many in the game.

The Football Supporters' Association is coordinating a new campaign to protect the "very existence" of clubs across the country.

With the coronavirus pandemic threatening many clubs due to the financial ramifications of a lack of fixtures and no fans being permitted into stadia, the FSA believes pre-existing issues within the game have been magnified.

Working with a number of politicians as well as former sports minister Tracey Crouch and fan groups from the majority of the 92 Premier League and EFL clubs, the new 'Sustain the Game!' initiative calls for urgent action from football authorities to help struggling clubs survive.

Former sports minister Tracey Crouch is supporting the Sustain The Game! initiative.
Former sports minister Tracey Crouch is supporting the Sustain The Game! initiative. (Jonathan Brady/PA)

"Football occupies a special space in our society as clubs carry huge cultural and local economic importance," FSA chief executive Kevin Miles said in a statement.

"Sustain The Game! will demonstrate the need for urgent action as the very existence of many clubs is under threat. If we don't act now we might lose some forever.

"We call on everyone with an interest in the game, from clubs and leagues to players and managers, to come together and work in partnership to support Sustain The Game! The time for action isn't next week, next month, or next year – it's now."

The campaign consists of five key principles which the FSA and its partners want to see addressed.

These include legal protection and "urgent support" to secure the future of struggling clubs, transparency of ownership, independently enforced financial controls on owners, a more sustainable model for distributing finances across the football pyramid and giving supporters more of a voice on community issues arising around their clubs.

One high-profile backer of the campaign is former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher, who insists supporters deserve to be at the heart of any changes moving forward.

Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has backed the FSA-led campaign.
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has backed the FSA-led campaign. (Nick Potts/PA)

"The FSA's Sustain The Game! campaign can play a massive role in protecting clubs throughout the game," he said.

"This is a difficult time for the game but it's also a chance to make real changes. Supporters' have to be involved in that as well."

ID:411020: cacheID:411020:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5881:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte reacts on November 5, 2019
Read Next:
Antonio Conte dismisses questions about his Inter future ahead of Europa League final
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!