Labour's sports minister Stephanie Peacock has been forced to apologise to Premier League executives after claiming critics of an "Independent Football Regulator" were "promoting untruths" about it.
The minister's apology was directed at Arsenal's executive vice-chair Tim Lewis, West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady and Brighton chief executive Paul Barber.
The three executives had previously raised concerns about the impact of the proposed football regulator in a joint interview with The Times.
The minister's retraction came after legal letters were sent following her criticism in a Daily Mail opinion piece.
Sports minister Stephanie Peacock has issued a public apology to executives from three Premier League clubs after accusing them of "promoting untruths" about the independent football regulator
PA
In her January 15 piece, Peacock addressed criticism of the regulator head-on.
"It is no surprise that there continues to be a loud minority seeking to derail the debate, promote untruths and preserve the status quo," she wrote.
The minister specifically challenged claims about the regulator's potential impact on club academies, describing such assertions as "wrong and offensive".
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These comments were made in response to concerns raised by the three executives in their earlier interview with The Times.
Following the legal letters, the minister issued an apology via the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport's X account on Friday.
"I would like to make clear it was never my intention for the op-ed to be perceived as impugning the integrity of Baroness Brady, Mr Barber and Mr Lewis," Peacock stated.
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She continued: "Whatever our differences on the right approach to football regulation, I do not doubt the sincerity and honesty of their opinions or their integrity."
"I am happy to make this clear and apologise to Baroness Brady, Mr Barber and Mr Lewis for any distress caused. I am glad to be able to clarify my intentions and now wish to see an end to this matter."
The Football Governance Bill, which includes the creation of the regulator, remains under parliamentary debate.
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The regulator was initially proposed as a key recommendation in the 2021 fan-led review, chaired by former Conservative sports minister Tracey Crouch.
The Bill was reintroduced by the Labour government after failing to complete its passage through Parliament before last May's General Election.
One of its most disputed elements concerns the regulator's proposed backstop powers to impose financial settlements between the Premier League and EFL.
Talks between the leagues regarding a New Deal have been stalled since March last year.
