Uefa warns England could be banned from Euro 2028 over regulator concerns

In May, David Newton, the FA’s head of football operations, told MPs: “Uefa and Fifa have statutes of their own, which basically prevent state interference in the running of football and football competitions.

“We have worked closely with Uefa and Fifa, and with the DCMS… They have been taken through where we have got to.

“Although we have not had a definitive view as such, it is reasonably clear that a tightness of the bill relating to football governance is not likely to present huge or significant problems, subject to any changes that may occur.

“However, anything wider would increase the risk of Fifa or Uefa intervention. That is obviously a place we do not want to be, because of the sanctions that may flow, in theory, from that.”

Niall Couper, chief executive of football campaign group Fair Game, said: “This is nothing short of a scare story.

“With 58% of the top 92 technically insolvent and annual loses of £10m a year in the Championship viewed as ‘a success’, football is an industry in desperate need of financial reform. The government should not be derailed by such nonsense.”

The Football Supporters’ Association said it was “confident there’s no risk to England’s participation in tournaments” despite the “lurid headlines.”

Former FA chief executive David Bernstein also told the Press Association: “This a last throw of the dice by those who are opposed to a regulator to see if they can can knock it off track.

“This regulator is independent, supported by an act of Parliament, but independent. It is not government interfering in football.”

Last month, the Premier League said it “looked forward” to working with the new government, but that “it was critical that the regulation was proportionate and effective”. It has also warned of “unintended consequences” and risks that the body could be subject to too much influence from ministers.

Uefa declined to comment.