UEFA has issued a stern warning to the UK government, threatening to ban England from the Euro 2028 tournament if Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plans for a men’s football regulator go ahead, according to British media reports on Saturday.

In a letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, UEFA’s General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis emphasized that football must operate without government interference, warning that such actions could lead to sanctions, including exclusion from UEFA competitions. The statement highlights UEFA’s fundamental requirement for the autonomy of sport.

The parliamentary plans for the regulator, aimed at overseeing clubs in England’s top five leagues and preventing financial mismanagement, were initially proposed by the previous government and remain a commitment in Labour’s manifesto. The government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport insists the regulator will ensure the sustainability and community benefit of English football.

(With inputs from agencies.)