SIR KEIR STARMER paid Bristol Rovers a visit as his party pledged to bring forward football governance reforms if elected and suggested a 10 per cent transfer levy could be back on the table.

The Labour leader announced plans on Monday for its party to introduce its own football governance Bill that would prevent breakaways and make sure lower-tier clubs are financially sustainable.

Shadow culture and sport secretary Thangam Debbonaire was asked during a visit to Bristol Rovers Football Club with Sir Keir whether she would consider reviving the transfer levy, which was recommended in a 2021 fan-led review but not taken up by the Conservatives in their version of the Bill.

(Image: PA News Agency) That legislation was set aside after the General Election was called for July 4.

She said: “I’m going to look at everything again that was in Tracey Crouch’s fan-led review.”

There have been calls for a 10 per cent levy on deals between Premier League clubs and between Premier League and overseas clubs to raise funds to support the football pyramid.

Ms Debbonaire told reporters at Bristol Rovers’ football ground: “A club like this, it’s not the wealthiest club in the world, and it wants to be able to invest in infrastructure.

“It wants to be able to make sure that facilities are good for the future.

“That does take money, so I’m going to look at absolutely everything that might help increase the financial sustainability.”

In 2021, six English clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham – announced they would join a new European Super League, which was scrapped two days later following a public backlash.

In its manifesto, Labour said “we will never allow a closed league of select clubs to be siphoned off from the English football pyramid”.

Sir Keir said on Monday that “too often, clubs and fans are being let down by the wild west within the football pyramid.”

He added: “That’s why we will legislate for the long-awaited independent football regulator.

“In the face of continued threats of breakaways from some European clubs, we have to do this.

“On my watch, there will be no super league-style breakaways from English football.”