Tottenham confirm fan representation on board and issue Super League apology

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Tottenham have announced that they will have fan representation on the club board following the fall out from the bungled European Super League attempt, for which they have also "unreservedly" apologised.

The north Londoners were one of the "Dirty Dozen" who last month announced plans to form and join a new closed shop European competition along with the rest of the Premier League's big six and other top clubs.

That plan was dead within two days of the announcement following unprecedented backlash from supporters, football bodies and government - who are now launching a review into football governance.

Following the club's withdrawal from the Super League, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust (THST) called for the resignation of the executive board. Spurs have rejected those calls, but have now said a supporter will be appointed as a non-executive director on an annual basis.

In a statement, Tottenham said: "We have all learnt lessons from recent events and have reviewed fan engagement as a priority. As a result we shall be liaising with key stakeholders and establishing a Club Advisory Panel, comprised of elected representatives from the different constituencies of our fanbase, inclusive and reflective of our fans’ diversity.

“The Chair of this Panel will be appointed annually as a full Non-Executive of the Club Board. We believe this provides for authentic, genuine representation and will ensure fans are at the heart of Club decision-making, something we greatly welcome.

"The selection criteria, mandate and constitution will be developed by independent advisors in consultation with fan groups to ensure it is truly representative of our supporter base.

“Further details will be released in due course. Going forward we shall constantly look to review and improve these new lines of consultation. We shall also fully support the government review into football governance."

Spurs said they were “disappointed” by the board of the THST for not meeting with the club since the Super League debacle, insisting the door “remained open” so long as a change of ownership and the resignation of the board were not on any agenda.

Tottenham have also apologised for their part in the Super League plan, for which they are now facing UEFA fines which will be paid for by the Spurs owners.

However, the club claim they only joined with the expectation that the plans would "evolve through dialogue with key parties", including fans.

The club said: "It’s important to underline that we entered the ESL with the expectation that the format, rules and structures would evolve through dialogue with key parties, namely the Premier League, FA, UEFA, FIFA and, crucially, fans. It should never have been conveyed with certainty when it was in fact a framework agreement for consultation going forward.

"We should have challenged and reconsidered the annual access system. We wholeheartedly regret that we involved the Club and that the legal process itself meant we were unable to consult our fans early on – we apologise unreservedly."

Chelsea recently confirmed they would introduce three "supporter advisors" to some club meetings, though their attendance would be restricted and the trio would not have voting rights.

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