Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear will be embarrassed after confirmation of independent regulator
Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear has once again opened himself up to criticism following the UK government’s confirmation an independent regulator would be introduced into English Football.
After Tacey Crouch MP’s “fan-led review” of English football last year, the game is set to come under stricter governance concerning areas such as owners and directors tests.
The topic of the European Super League is also set to be controlled, as well as allowing fans of clubs a far greater say in decisions and matters involving their clubs, such as changing a club’s name or their traditional kit colours.
And although many Leeds supporters may have welcomed the release of the new white paper this week [BBC Sport, 23 February], Kinnear will have to eat some humble pie after criticising calls for an independent regulator in the past.
In his comments, the club’s chief executive compared the initiative designed to protect the game to Maoism and the Great Chinese Famine – something which was extremely shocking to hear, to say the least. The controversial take on the review of English football made national coverage and brought a huge level of scrutiny on the Leeds board as a result.
After the dreadful planning and decision-making following the sacking of Jesse Marsch earlier this month, the Whites’ board have never been under as much pressure as now.
The timing of the government’s decision on the independent regulator couldn’t have been worse for Kinnear, and he now has some serious back peddling to do if he wants to restore any faith from the fanbase. How he can still believe in elitist ideas such as the European Super League and an undemocratic manner of running a club is ludicrous.
Supporters made their thoughts on the Super League quite clear when it first reared its head back in 2021 when they gathered outside Elland Road prior to the club’s behind-closed-doors match against proposed breakaway club Liverpool.
Leeds are a club who heavily on the fanbase, and Kinnear needs to realise that they are the beating heart of the club, and not him.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared an update on the coaching staff Javi Gracia plans to bring to the club.
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