Labour is considering giving football fans first refusal on the purchase of shares in their clubs when they are put up for sale. Clubs could even be required to hand over stakes of up to 25% to supporters' groups, reports the Guardian.

The move is apparently set to be included in Labour's general election manifesto as part of an attempt to increase the influence of supporters in football clubs.

It comes amid increasing concern about the degree of foreign ownership of teams and the perceived low levels of commitment from shareholders with little affinity with the clubs.

But shadow sports minister Hugh Robertson said there were easier ways of increasing supporter influence in clubs such as by insisting on all clubs having at least one director to represent supporters.

Robertson said: "After 13 years of inactivity by the Government on this issue this has all the hallmarks of a pre-election gimmick. There are massive, massive implications for company law and insolvency law."

The Government is also said to be looking at an overhaul of the governance of football.