By Adam Williams, Finance & Governance Correspondent

19th May, 2023 | 7:00am

Sources: Deadline revealed as plan hated by Leeds United given green light

There is increasing confidence that the independent football regulator opposed by the likes of Leeds United will be introduced in time for the 2024-25 season, Football Insider has learned.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport released a white paper outlining the remit of the regulator – which has cross-party support – in February.

The first-of-its-kind body will have the power to implement a new financial distribution model across the divisions, install a new owners’ and directors’ test, and prevent clubs from joining breakaway leagues.

A well-connected source has told Football Insider that an official bill is being prepared and there is optimism that it will be ready by the King’s speech deadline later this year.

That would allow enough time for the bill to make it through both Houses and for the necessary infrastructure and personnel to be implemented for the beginning of 2024-25.

Significantly, that means the regulator will likely be up and running well in advance of the next general election, which will be held in January 2025 at the latest.

That will irk the likes of Leeds, whose top brass have made clear their enmity towards what they see as unnecessary and potentially restrictive interference in football governance.

Angus Kinnear, the West Yorkshire side’s CEO, prevously likened some of the measures outlined in the white paper to Maoism.

Among fans, however, the regulator has near-universal support – and the Conservative Party consider it a vote-winner.

As previously revealed by Football Insider, the regulator will have a relatively streamlined staff, far smaller than the 150-200-strong workforce reported by some outlets.

It is also understood that the regulator will have the power to monitor club finances in real-time, with the aim of heading off financial crises and regulation breaches before they materialise.

In other news, Leeds United on course for £53m plunge as critical paperwork uncovered.