THE government insists the design of football’s independent regulator “cannot be rushed” after a parliamentary committee had called for it to be established before a five-nation UK and Ireland bid to host Euro 2028 could begin in earnest.

The digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS) committee said in a report in March that a bid for the finals should not go ahead with the recommendations and reforms proposed in the fan-led review of football governance still “hanging over” the English FA.

The committee report said the government should ensure the establishment of a regulator — the review’s key recommendation — was complete before the Euros bid gathered pace.

However, the government has now responded to say the process to establish a regulator would run alongside the Euro’s bid, rather than be completed beforehand.

“This [bid] is a separate process involving government and football partners from across the UK and Ireland — while the football governance outcomes are predominantly an English issue — and needs to continue unencumbered by other priorities that could otherwise disrupt the bidding process and partnership,” the government’s written response read.

“Legislation as important as that which will be drafted in respect of a new, independent regulator for football cannot be rushed and must be considered with care.

“Designing a regulator and its functions, powers and building a model of financial regulation are complex policy issues.

“Rushing the design risks making clubs’ finances worse, potentially allowing unsuitable owners into the game and compromising the long-term sustainability of the game, while harming the success of the game on the pitch.

“We owe it to football fans and to all the communities that support and are supported by football clubs to get this right.”

The response confirmed that the government remained committed to publishing a white paper on the regulatory framework this summer, and legislating to establish a regulator when parliamentary time allows.