Football Spectators Act 1989

4National membership scheme: making, approval, modification etc

(1)The Football Membership Authority shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after its designation takes effect, prepare a draft scheme which fulfils the requirements of section 5 below.

(2)The Football Membership Authority shall, before exercising any of its functions under this section—

(a)consult the Football Association, the Football Association of Wales and the Football League; and

(b)give such persons as appear to it to represent the interests of football supporters an opportunity to make representations.

(3)When the draft scheme is complete the Football Membership Authority shall submit it to the Secretary of State for his approval and the Secretary of State, if satisfied that the draft scheme fulfils those requirements, may if he thinks fit by order approve it either as submitted or with any modifications that may be agreed; and if he does so, he shall lay a copy of the scheme as approved before each House of Parliament.

(4)Where the Secretary of State approves the scheme under subsection (3) above, then, subject to subsection (8) below, the scheme shall enter into force on such date as may be agreed between the Secretary of State and the Football Membership Authority.

(5)At any time during the currency of the scheme the Secretary of State and the Football Membership Authority may agree—

(a)to modify the scheme, or

(b)to replace the scheme with another scheme,

in accordance with the requirements of section 5 below.

(6)Where the Secretary of State and the Football Membership Authority agree to modify the scheme—

(a)the Secretary of State shall lay a copy of the modifications before each House of Parliament, and

(b)the modifications agreed on shall enter into force on such date as may be agreed and the scheme shall have effect accordingly.

(7)Where the Secretary of State and the Football Membership Authority agree to replace the scheme—

(a)the Secretary of State shall by order confirm his agreement to the new scheme and shall lay a copy of it before each House of Parliament, and

(b)subject to subsection (8) below, the new scheme shall enter into force and the existing scheme shall cease to be in force on such date as may be agreed.

(8)The powers of the Secretary of State to make orders under this section are exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.