Fair Game UK Advisory Council– 3rd February 2026 – Meeting Minutes

Meeting Attendees: 14 - Fair Game UK (4), Southend United Shrimpers Trust (1), Bees United (1), AFC Wimbledon Foundation (1), Canaries Trust (1), Shrimps Trust (1), Huddersfield Town Foundation (1), Swans Trust (1), Barnsley FC Community Trust (1), Women in Football (1), Argyle Community Trust (1)

Meeting Summary:

The Fair Game Advisory Council met to discuss its overall mission and the Fair Game Index; designed to assess football clubs’ off‑field performance. Christian Lake outlined the Council’s overall strategy, illustrating Fair Game’s need for expertise/consultation from those who work within the Index’s eight key performance areas. Stephen Radley (Head of Data Unit) detailed plans to speak further with the council individually regarding data collection and to refine indicators for smaller clubs. The Council, comprised of 12-15 members, will meet quarterly from May. Discussions also covered Fair Game’s willingness to work with other football entities, football’s financial inequalities, funding distribution, and safeguarding issues. Fair Game CEO, Niall Couper, expanded on Fair Game’s future strategy regarding the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), while also gauging interest in reaching out to advisory council members separately regarding their own interests in the hope of connecting them with like minded organisations and campaigns.

Meeting Actions:

·         Stephen Radley (Fair Game – Head of Data Unit) will reach out to advisory council members individually, to ask for their consultation in this year’s Fair Game Index Methodology.

·         Christian Lake (Fair Game – Chief Engagement Officer) will continue structuring the Advisory Council, providing members with regular updates and leading the candidate process for finding a chair/vice-chair in time for the next meeting in May.

·         Christian Lake will also lead the search in finding new members from Fair Game’s Football for Good Hub, which is made up of football-based NGOs and external stakeholders to equip the Advisory Council with a complete spectrum of expertise.

·         Christian Lake will reach out to members of the Advisory Council on topics they would like to discuss to build the agenda to subsequent meetings.

·         Fair Game will discuss internally the 3PM Blackout, developing a stance further on what they feel about it as an organisation.

Subjects to be considered for the next meeting: Funding Disparity, Engagement Strategies for Club with Various Resources, New League Changes, Safeguarding (Online Hate), Diversity in Senior Leadership roles, 3PM Blackout

Full Meeting Notes:

Introduction to the Fair Game Advisory Council

Christian Lake provided an overview of the Fair Game Advisory Council, outlining its purpose to unite football clubs, supporters, and NGOs to tackle industry challenges. He discussed Fair Game's initiatives, including the Fair Game Index, and the organisation's commitment to advocacy and research in areas such as governance and sustainability. Stephen Radley was introduced to elaborate on the Fair Game Index and its focus for the upcoming year.

Fair Game Index Overview and Future Plans

Stephen Radley provided an overview of the Fair Game Index, highlighting its purpose in assessing football clubs' off-field performance and informing regulatory discussions. He noted the focus on key areas such as governance and community engagement and mentioned plans to automate data collection for efficiency. Additionally, Radley indicated a desire to improve indicators for smaller clubs and to develop more qualitative assessments of club actions. This would be done through Advisory council consultation, to which he would reach out soon.

Advisory Council Structure and Objectives

Christian Lake highlighted the Fair Game Index's key indicators, including governance and community engagement, as essential for guiding the Advisory Council. He explained that the Council will consist of a maximum 15 members and will meet quarterly, with the next meeting scheduled for May. Lake encouraged members to bring forward issues and topics for discussion, emphasising the collaborative nature of the Council.

Relationship Between Fair Game and Other Entities

Questions were raised regarding the relationship between Fair Game and the FSA, noting the importance of both organisations in the football community. Christian Lake expressed Fair Game's openness to working with the FSA, despite recognising that the FSA has a stronger relationship with other entities in football. He emphasised that Fair Game does not intend to disrupt the FSA's work and is willing to engage in constructive dialogue.

Discussion on Fair Game's Role with IFR Consultations

Mike discussed the need for Fair Game to engage constructively with the IFR during their consultations, highlighting the importance of transparency and consensus among different clubs. Christian supported this approach, indicating that Fair Game would act as a “critical friend” to the IFR about the football landscape when addressing concerns about their current understanding and practices. Proof of this has been seen in their most recent press releases revolving around the IFR consultation process.

Addressing Resources Disparity in Football

Bees United enquired on how Fair Game can bridge the gap between wealthier and less affluent clubs in football. Christian Lake recognised the challenges posed by this divide and highlighted the importance of gathering qualitative data to understand clubs' commercial decisions. He noted that building trust among clubs is essential for addressing these issues effectively and that ensuring that clubs of various sizes will need to account for when coming up with solutions to football’s biggest problems.

Funding Distribution and Advocacy in Football

The issue of funding distribution in football was brought up, emphasising the disparity between Premier League clubs and lower league teams. One advisory council member explained recent changes to funding models, including a reduction in available grants for club foundations. Christian expressed interest in the new changes and committed to reaching out separately to learn more.

Addressing Online Harms and Safeguarding in Football

Canaries Trust emphasised the need for safeguarding in football, citing ongoing issues with online hate and discrimination. Niall Couper noted that while safeguarding isn't explicitly listed in their index, it is part of their work, including an inquiry into online harms that will gather evidence from various stakeholders. The inquiry aims to address the impact of online abuse on football and promote diversity in leadership roles.

Discussion on Online Regulation and 3 PM Blackout

Bees United highlighted the difficulties in regulating online content, particularly with the rise of AI, and asked about Fair Game’s strategy in motivating companies outside of football in addressing these issues. Niall Couper acknowledged the challenges but expressed a willingness to engage with tech companies and encouraged the council to contribute questions for future discussions. He also noted that Fair Game has not established a position on the 3 PM blackout, inviting further exploration of the topic.

Meeting Attendees: 14 - Fair Game UK (4), Southend United Shrimpers Trust (1), Bees United (1), AFC Wimbledon Foundation (1), Canaries Trust (1), Shrimps Trust (1), Huddersfield Town Foundation (1), Swans Trust (1), Barnsley FC Community Trust (1), Women in Football (1), Argyle Community Trust (1)

Meeting Summary:

The Fair Game Advisory Council met to discuss its overall mission and the Fair Game Index; designed to assess football clubs’ off field performance. Christian Lake outlined the council’s overall strategy, illustrating Fair Game’s need for expertise/consultation from those who work within the index’s eight key performance areas. Stephen Radley (Head of Data Unit) detailed plans to speak further with the council individually regarding data collection and to refine indicators for smaller clubs.

The council, comprised of 12-15 members, will meet quarterly from May. Discussions also covered Fair Game’s willingness to work with other football entities, football’s financial inequalities, funding distribution, and safeguarding issues.

Fair Game CEO, Niall Couper, expanded on Fair Game’s future strategy regarding the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), while also gauging interest in reaching out to advisory council members separately regarding their own interests in the hope of connecting them with like-minded organisations and campaigns.

Meeting Actions:

· Stephen Radley (Fair Game – Head of Data Unit) will reach out to advisory council members individually to ask for their consultation in this year’s Fair Game Index Methodology,

· Christian Lake (Fair Game – Chief Engagement Officer) will continue structuring the advisory council, providing members with regular updates and leading the candidate process for finding a chair/vice-chair in time for the next meeting in May,

· Christian Lake will also lead the search in finding new members from Fair Game’s Football for Good Hub, which is made up of football-based NGOs and external stakeholders to equip the advisory council with a complete spectrum of expertise,

· Christian Lake will reach out to members of the advisory council on topics they would like to discuss to build the agenda to subsequent meetings,

· Fair Game will discuss internally the 3pm blackout, developing a stance further on what they feel about it as an organisation,

Subjects to be considered for the next meeting: funding disparity, engagement strategies for club with various resources, new league changes, safeguarding (online hate), diversity in senior leadership roles, 3pm blackout

Full Meeting Notes:

Introduction to the Fair Game Advisory Council

Christian Lake provided an overview of the Fair Game Advisory Council, outlining its purpose to unite football clubs, supporters, and NGOs to tackle industry challenges. He discussed Fair Game's initiatives, including the Fair Game index, and the organisation's commitment to advocacy and research in areas such as governance and sustainability.

Stephen Radley was introduced to elaborate on the Fair Game index and its focus for the upcoming year.

Fair Game index overview and plans

Stephen Radley provided an overview of the Fair Game index, highlighting its purpose in assessing football clubs' off-field performance and informing regulatory discussions.

He noted the focus on key areas such as governance and community engagement and mentioned plans to automate data collection for efficiency. Additionally, Mr Radley indicated a desire to improve indicators for smaller clubs and to develop more qualitative assessments of club actions. This would be done through advisory council consultation, to which he would reach out soon.

Advisory Council structure and objectives

Christian Lake highlighted the Fair Game index's key indicators, including governance and community engagement, as essential for guiding the Advisory Council.

He explained that the council will consist of a maximum 15 members and will meet quarterly with the next meeting scheduled for May.

Mr Lake encouraged members to bring forward issues and topics for discussion, emphasising the collaborative nature of the council.

Relationship Between Fair Game and other entities

Questions were raised regarding the relationship between Fair Game and the FSA, noting the importance of both organisations in the football community.

Mr Lake expressed Fair Game's openness to working with the FSA, despite recognising that the FSA has a stronger relationship with other entities in football. He emphasised that Fair Game does not intend to disrupt the FSA's work and is willing to engage in constructive dialogue.

Discussion on Fair Game's role with IFR consultations

The need for Fair Game to engage constructively with the IFR during their consultations was discussed, highlighting the importance of transparency and consensus among different clubs.

Mr Lake supported this approach, indicating that Fair Game would act as a “critical friend” to the IFR about the football landscape when addressing concerns about their current understanding and practices.

Proof of this has been seen in their most recent press releases revolving around the IFR consultation process.

Addressing resources disparity in football

Bees United enquired on how Fair Game can bridge the gap between wealthier and less affluent clubs in football.

Mr Lake recognised the challenges posed by this divide and highlighted the importance of gathering qualitative data to understand clubs' commercial decisions. He noted that building trust among clubs is essential for addressing these issues effectively and that ensuring that clubs of various sizes will need to account for when coming up with solutions to football’s biggest problems.

Funding distribution and advocacy in football

The issue of funding distribution in football was brought up, emphasising the disparity between Premier League clubs and lower league teams.

One advisory council member explained that recent changes to funding models, including a reduction in available grants for club foundations. Christian expressed interest in the new changes and committed to reaching out separately to learn more.

Addressing online harms and safeguarding in football

Canaries Trust emphasised the need for safeguarding in football, citing ongoing issues with online hate and discrimination.

Mr Couper noted that while safeguarding isn't explicitly listed in its index, it is part of its work, including an inquiry into online harms that will gather evidence from various stakeholders. The inquiry aims to address the impact of online abuse on football and promote diversity in leadership roles.

Discussion on online regulation and 3pm blackout

Bees United highlighted the difficulties in regulating online content, particularly with the rise of AI, and asked about Fair Game’s strategy in motivating companies outside of football in addressing these issues.

Mr Couper acknowledged the challenges but expressed a willingness to engage with tech companies and encouraged the council to contribute questions for future discussions. He also noted that Fair Game has not established a position on the 3pm blackout, inviting further exploration of the topic.