MP claims Birmingham City has debts of over £120 million

Birmingham Ladywood MP Shabana Mahmood has claimed that Birmingham City has ‘crippling debts worth over £120 million’ as she urges the government to push ahead with plans for an independent regulator in English football.

Ms Mahmood appeared in the House of Commons on Monday night (7 November), leading a debate on the governance and financial sustainability of football clubs in England.

In April, the Government said it would establish an independent regulator, but then admitted that this won’t be until at least 2024.

Ms Mahmood highlighted the way Birmingham City has been run in recent years under the ownership of Birmingham Sports Holdings Ltd (BSHL) as a reason for the FA to introduce an independent regulator. Ladywood MP Ms Mahmod, said: “With a crumbling stadium and far removed, invisible ownership, points deductions, and crippling debts worth over £120 million - the club continues to swing from crisis to crisis.

“Birmingham City is a perfect example of the current system allowing irresponsible spending as unaccountable foreign owners buy up local clubs.”

Ms Mahmood asked the Sports Minister Stuart Andrew to re-commit to establishing an independent football regulator, as recommended by Tracey Crouch’s Fan Led Review. Mr Andrew said the need for reform is not in doubt but that as a government of new ministers they were keen to do their due diligence and consider the policy carefully.

‘I am desperate to make sure that Birmingham City can be rescued from their current predicament’

During her speech in the Commons, Ms Mahmood, said: “I am desperate to make sure that Birmingham City Football Club can be rescued from their current predicament and put on a sustainable footing.

“Blues fans have watched with devastation as financial and professional mismanagement has driven their beloved club to the brink.But the issues at Blues are not unique – they are happening in stadiums and club houses across the country.

“Fantastic clubs face destruction unless we see decisive action and regulatory overhaul from the government – exactly as we were promised earlier this year.

“The long-term future of English football can only be secured if the Government implements the recommendations of the FLR in full; they have long promised a White Paper which would pave the way for legislation to create the Independent Regulator of English Football.”

Birmingham City has been contacted for comment on its finances