UEFA threatens England with expulsion from Euro 2028

(Patria) - UEFA has warned English politicians that England could be expelled from the 2028 European Championship, which it is co-hosting with Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, the BBC reports.

The warning came due to an idea being developed by the English that would lead to the establishment of an independent regulatory body to oversee and control football in the country.

UEFA interprets this idea as potentially opening the door to government interference in sport.

This topic became topical again in July when the proposal to pass a law according to which an independent regulatory body would oversee the work of the five strongest leagues was re-introduced.

The UK government stated at the time that this body would protect clubs by ensuring their financial sustainability.

The BBC states that it has seen a letter received by the local Minister of Culture and Sport, Lisa Nandy. The letter was sent by UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis.

"We are concerned because, under normal circumstances, football and football control should be handled by the national association.

One thing particularly stands out and causes concern because it deviates from UEFA's fundamental requirements - it is the one that states there must be no government interference in the governance of football.

We have specific rules that exist to protect the autonomy of sport and fair competition. The ultimate penalty is the exclusion of the association from UEFA and teams from all competitions," the letter stated.

The previous government announced these plans after the entire European Super League incident.

It is foreseen that this regulatory body would also oversee club licensing and take over the process of testing new club owners and directors…

Theodoridis, in his letter, also assessed the risk that the regulatory body's influence could extend to matters not foreseen as problematic.

"It is imperative for us to protect the independence of the Association and to point out that such compromises would undermine their authority as the primary regulator of football in England, which would be contrary to UEFA and FIFA statutes," he stated in the letter.