UEFA has written to the UK government and threatened to ban England from its competitions if there is interference with a planned regulator.
The Telegraph reports that UEFA general secretary, Theodore Theodoris, sent the letter to the UK Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy.
Theodoris warned that there should be no government interference in the running of football and made it clear that the ultimate sanction for which would be excluding the federation from UEFA and teams from competition.
Theodoridis further emphasised the need for independence, following proposals for a new regulator, which were included by Sir Keir Starmer's new Labour Government in the King's Speech.
The regulator would be in charge of a licensing system, which will ensure clubs are run sustainably, take over a strengthened owners and directors test, and give fans a greater say in key decisions.
