Prince William has met with football players, fans and management from a range of clubs to discuss the government’s far-reaching review of how the game is run.
The Duke of Cambridge, 39, visited Dulwich Hamlet Football Club in south London, to talk over the Fan Led Review of Football Governance, which was brought forward due to controversies over the proposed European Super League.
William, in his role as the President of the Football Association, met with the club’s director Peter Crouch, its chairman Ben Clasper and the chair of the review former Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch.
It’s not the first time William has met Crouch, 40, with the England football star having been invited to Kensington Palace in March 2020 to interview the duke for an episode of Radio 5 Live’s That Peter Crouch Podcast that was released over the summer.
The group chatted over pints of beer and takeaway curry that was delivered to the royal residence and looked relaxed and jovial in video and photos released from the meeting.
Prince William (pictured centre, with Peter Crouch, right) has met with football players, fans and management from a range of clubs to discuss the government’s far-reaching review of how the game is run
The Duke of Cambridge, 39, visited Dulwich Hamlet Football Club (pictured) in south London, to talk over the Fan Led Review of Football Governance, which was brought forward due to controversies over the proposed European Super League
When at the Champion Hill Stadium today, William chatted with players, club management, and football supporters from a range of teams to discuss the review.
His visit was ‘provide an opportunity for those involved in the football pyramid, both on and off the pitch, to put forward their opinions on the interim findings, as well as discuss the importance of grassroots and lower league clubs to English football and how these can best be supported,’ said Kensington Palace, via Royal Central.
The UK-wide review of the game was announced in April, after six Premier League clubs signed up and later withdrew from a new European Super League following an outcry from fans.
William, in his role as the President of the Football Association, met with the club’s director Peter Crouch (pictured together), its chairman Ben Clasper and the chair of the review former Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch
When at the Champion Hill Stadium today, William (pictured) chatted with players, club management, and football supporters from a range of teams to discuss the review
The Duke of Cambridge (centre) with Ben Clasper, Chairman of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club (left), and Peter Crouch (right) during his visit to Dulwich Hamlet FC
The first findings were released in July, after Tracey Crouch and a panel of experts spent two months gathering the views of supporters, clubs, participants, leaders, academics and administrators as part of the Government’s Fan-Led Review of football.
In her interim report, Crouch revealed she has reached one firm conclusion already: ‘In order to protect the future of key aspects of our national game a new Independent Regulator for English Football is needed.’
The final report, which is due in the autumn, will include detailed recommendations for the government, which must then decide what measures to adopt.
William, who has been President of the FA since 2006, asked fans what they hoped would be included in the final report of the Fan Led Review, which will be released in the coming months.
The UK-wide review of the game was announced in April, after six Premier League clubs signed up and later withdrew from a new European Super League following an outcry from fans. Pictured, William
The first findings were released in July, after Tracey Crouch and a panel of experts spent two months gathering the views of supporters, clubs, participants, leaders, academics and administrators as part of the Government’s Fan-Led Review of football. Pictured, William with Peter Crouch, centre
Dulwich Hamlet FC, which is part of the National League level, brings in crowds of around 2,400 on Saturday afternoons and two-thirds of its shares are fan-owned.
William’s outing comes as his brother Prince Harry, 37, visited New York with his wife Meghan Markle today for their first joint public appearance since Megxit.
The couple met NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, 60, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, 63, at the One World Trade Center. No details on why the royals are meeting with the Democrat lawmakers and what they plan to discuss were shared in advance.
De Blasio’s wife Chirlane McCray, 66, and the mayoral couple’s son Dante, 24, were also there to welcome the royal couple, who are visiting from their home in Montecito, California.
In her interim report, Crouch revealed she has reached one firm conclusion already: ‘In order to protect the future of key aspects of our national game a new Independent Regulator for English Football is needed.’ Pictured, Prince William, centre
William (pictured), who has been President of the FA since 2006, asked fans what they hoped would be included in the final report of the Fan Led Review, which will be released in the coming months