FOOTBALL FRANCHISING AND WIMBLEDON FOOTBALL CLUB

That this House notes the process of arbitration that Wimbledon FC has initiated under the Football Association's Rule K; notes with concern that Wimbledon FC is seeking to use this rule to enable it to obtain authority to move from South London to Milton Keynes and that this will establish a new precedent allowing the franchising of football clubs; believes that this could break the historical links between football clubs and their communities and jeopardise the opportunities for young people to develop through activity in football in their community; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to make a statement outlining the Government's opposition to football franchising and in support of the greater involvement of communities and other stakeholders in the running of their football clubs.