On Thursday February 2nd, a vote in the European Parliament was held on the so-called Fisas Report (named after Santiago Fisas MEP, the rapporteur of the report), which sets out the European Dimension in Sport. 

Supporters Direct today formally launched its proposals for football club licensing in an event held at Parliament, and hosted by Jessica Lee, Conservative MP for Erewash.

Attendees also heard from Simon Hughes, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, MP for Old Southwark and Bermondsey, and Patron of fan-owned Fisher FC; and Labour Shadow Minister and former Fulham Supporters Trust Chair, Tom Greatrex, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West; and William Gaillard, Advisor to the President, UEFA.

The proposals particularly focus on integrating supporters' trusts into the governance of their clubs, and Lee talked about the "real momentum" behind the proposals and paying credit to the work of SD at her hometown club, Ilkeston FC.

Simon Hughes described the proposals as coming at a time of "A fantastic window of opportunity", when bankers bonuses and other such issues of openness and fairness are at the top of the political agenda. He also described the public as being in a "mood" for change, and vowed to keep "pushing the idea forward".

Tom Greatrex MP's speech also backed the idea as one transcending political boundaries, and added, "Nobody seriously doubts the ability of (fans) to contribute in a constructive way. It's right to recognise the role of fans in the new licensing arrangements as guarantors of the best interests of clubs and their communities."

William Gaillard talked about the journey UEFA have taken towards licensing, including the introduction of Financial Fairplay, part of the new UEFA licensing criteria.

At least 30 MPs from all parties attended, including other members of the Government, and shadow ministers. Also present were senior representatives from the football authorities.

On a day where the Government's Health and Social Care Bill was receiving another reading in Parliament, the attendance was all the more impressive.

Brian Burgess, Acting Chief Executive of SD, said "We have laid down what we consider to be sensible, considered proposals, that provide a formal route for supporters' trusts to earn the right to be involved in the governance of their clubs in a constructive fashion. Today is evidence that we have wide-scale, cross-party support for a set of proposals that will actively enhance the relationship between supporters' trusts, clubs and their communities."

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Supporters Direct campaigns for the wider recognition of the social, cultural and economic value of sports clubs

We are the UK's leading body working to ensure that clubs are run responsibly and are financially sustainable

Supporters Direct aims to create the conditions in which supporters can secure influence and ownership of sports clubs

We provide guidance and support to groups in more than 20 countries throughout Europe

Supporters Direct is a community benefit society, owned by its members

"In a club these days, everything changes – players, coaches, owners, directors, managers – but the fans and the link with the society remains the same. And this is what we need to protect. And when we look at the financial figures in particular, we have to be worried about the trend and we need to tackle that. We need to establish a safe and healthy environment for European club football to continue to develop and prosper."

At 6pm this Thursday, AFC Wimbledon supporter Siobhain McDonagh MP will have a 30 minute Parliamentary debate in the House of Commons on: “Government policy on football governance and the case of AFC Wimbledon”.

The debate is relevant at a time of historic opportunity for change in football. The authorities have in front of them the chance to adopt changes that could make shameful episodes like that of the franchising of Wimbledon FC’s league place, and the current crises engulfing Darlington and Portsmouth and over fifty other clubs since 1992, a thing of the past.

The MP for Mitcham and Morden in the London Borough of Merton, former home of Wimbledon FC, will urge the Government to ensure that any changes to the rules of football currently under consideration by the football authorities will ensure that clubs can’t just ignore the communities they are supported by.

She will also back calls being made by organisation Supporters Direct through its own licensing proposals that to enable this, communities be represented formally in the governance of clubs as part of licence conditions.

"Supporters Direct promotes sustainable spectator sports clubs based on supporters' involvement & community ownership. This is fundamental to the work of the Darlington Supporters Trust who subscribe wholeheartedly to this mission statement and who we, at Supporters Direct, have implicit faith in.

"Supporters Direct would like to make clear that Darlington Supporters’ Trust has worked tirelessly to support the club over the years, and specifically to raise and protect a fighting fund in case the club ever re-entered a period of crisis. They have always stated they would release these funds if - and when - a sustainable recovery plan was produced.

"It is with this in mind that the Darlington Supporters’ Trust acknowledges the efforts of Supporters Direct to attempt to identify a community based solution to secure both the short and long term future of football in Darlington.”

“Improving Football Governance through Supporter Involvement and Community Ownership” 

Supporters Direct’s project has been selected by the European Commission, under the PREPARATORY ACTION IN THE FIELD OF SPORT (EAC/18/2011), for receipt of a grant.

The project has specified outputs/outcomes (included in scope of work) that must be delivered to meet the funding conditions. SD envisages delivering these in partnership with a suitably qualified and experienced consultant, which is the purpose of this invitation to tender.

Today sees the official launch of 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives, as designated by the United Nations. There are over 1.4 million Co-operatives across the globe, with over 1 billion members. Today will be marked with events in the UK, France, Portugal, China and Canada, kicking off a year of activity highlighting the work done by Co-operatives around the world. 

Nominations have now closed in the election to the Rugby League Advisory Group of Supporters Direct. 

Nominations have now closed in the election to the England & Wales Football Council of Supporters Direct.

Below is the latest Supporters Direct media briefing, featuring a selection of news stories, opinion articles and blog posts, discussing some of the issues which have made the headlines over the last fortnight.