By Hughie Southon

The Government’s plan to set up a football regulator has been savaged by West Ham owner David Sullivan.

The new plan will test the fitness of new owners, ensure clubs are run sustainably, resolve any issues around how money flows from the Premier League down the pyramid and blocking clubs from joining breakaway leagues.

The government will publish its White Paper on football governance on Thursday, and has now confirmed it will act on a recommendation from the 2021 fan-led review of football to create a regulator.

It will also aim to

• Prevent repeats of financial failings seen at many clubs in England
• Introduce a more stringent owners’ and directors’ test to protect clubs and fans
• offer greater fan representation, giving fans power to be able to stop owners changing the name of a club, the badge and traditional club colours
• Making sure a fair distribution of money is sent down the English football pyramid from the Premier

At first sight it may appear to be in line with what the fans may well approve of but Sullivan has slammed the idea in a rare statement in which is prepared to be quoted.

He snapped{ “A football regulator is a terrible idea.

“The government are terrible at running everything – look at the mess the country is in.

“We pay the highest taxes ever for the worst service from the worst government I’ve seen in my lifetime.

“The regulator will have a huge staff that football will have to pay for. It will be a total waste of money. I bet it grows in size and cost every year.

“The Premier League is the best run and most successful league in the world. It gives more to the lower leagues and the PFA and the grassroots than any other top league in the world. It’s a fantastic export.

“Why does an incompetent government think it will improve things?

“In every area this government is involved in, it has provided a worse service.

“The government are doing this for PR. They think it will be a PR win to be seen to back the ordinary football supporter and smaller clubs, but it won’t get them a single extra vote.

“I believe in free enterprise, not government interference.”