New football watchdog set to be established following MPs' backing
The Bill will introduce a football watchdog for the top five tiers of the men's game to ensure clubs are run sustainably and are accountable to their fans.
The regulator will also have 'backstop' powers to impose a financial settlement between the English Football League (EFL) and the Premier League if they cannot agree one themselves.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons: 'We promised in our manifesto that we would end years of inaction and make the changes that fans have fought for for so long and are so overdue.
'I am proud to be part of the winning team that has put our fans back on the pitch at the heart of the game where they belong.'
She added: 'This is for Macclesfield, for Wigan, for Bury, for Bolton, for Derby, for Reading, for Sheffield Wednesday, for Morecambe and for many, many more who have had to endure the misery of being put last when they should have been put first.'
Earlier, calls from the Conservatives to consult on the 'two-tier' alcohol ban in football stands were rejected by the Government.
Sports minister Stephanie Peacock said moves to reverse the prohibition, which has been in place since 1985, do not fall within the scope of the Bill.
MPs voted by 346 to 167, majority 179, against a consultation on ending the stadium alcohol ban across the top five tiers of men's football in England.
Sports minister Stephanie Peacock (Chris McAndrew/PA)
MPs also rejected a bid to demand broadcasters show at least 10 Premier League football matches on free-to-air television each season.
The Commons voted by 340 to 86, majority 254, against new clause three, put forward by Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Max Wilkinson, which would have also required free-to-air coverage of the League Cup final, and the Championship, League One and League Two play-off finals.
Ms Peacock said: 'The Government believes that the current list of events works well, and it strikes an appropriate balance between access to sporting events and allowing sports to maximise broadcasting revenue.
'In domestic football, the present arrangements under the listed events regime have protected key moments such as the FA Cup final, while ensuring that the Premier League, the EFL, and the FA are able to raise billions of pounds annually, which is invested back into the pyramid.
'We all want to see more matches being televised, free-to-air, but that must be balanced against investment and not risk it.'
The sports minister also stopped short of agreeing to financial support for ex-players who have suffered brain conditions caused by heading footballs, but said the Government is 'committed' to looking further at player welfare.
Labour MP for Caerphilly Chris Evans (Andrew Matthews/PA)
A number of MPs, including Labour's Chris Evans (Caerphilly) had tabled amendments to the Bill calling for greater support of past players who have developed neurodegenerative diseases as a result of heading footballs.
During the Bill's report stage, shadow sport minister Louie French accused the Government of 'appointing a Labour crony to be the new sheriff of football'.
David Kogan, a media rights expert, was named as the Government's preferred candidate to chair the Independent Football Regulator in April, and his appointment was endorsed by a cross-party committee of MPs.
But Mr Kogan faces an inquiry into his appointment following the revelation that he had donated money to both Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Nandy, as well as other Labour figures.
Ms Nandy said then-minister Stuart Andrew had 'actively headhunted the individual in question and added him to the shortlist'.
Mr French also urged the Government to scrap the 'legacy ban which sees fans rushing to drink their beer before kick-off and at half-time'.
On new clause one, he said: 'The alcohol ban, which has been in place since 1985, was introduced to help curb hooliganism on the terraces during the problematic era of British football.
'But 40 years on, and with the modern game enjoying a more family-friendly atmosphere in stadiums across the country, clubs, fans and the Conservatives are urging the Government to consult on lifting the ban on alcohol.
'As football fans know, we have this legacy ban which sees fans rushing to drink their beer before kick-off and at half-time, this often leads to the fans being delayed entering the stadiums and overcrowding on the concourses.
'This is why we have listened to clubs and fans, especially those lower down the football pyramid, and are urging the Government to end the two-tier approach to football plans as part of their Football Governance Bill.'
Responding, Ms Peacock said: 'This is outside the scope of the Bill, which is focused on sustainability of clubs and game overall. I've raised the issue with the Home Office, as I committed to do during the Bill committee, as it is their policy lead.'
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