A parliamentary inquiry into the ownership of professional football clubs has been launched by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

It forms part of a coalition government pledge to encourage a reform of regulations that deal with the governance of club in a bid to increase supporter involvement. Among the issues to be addressed by the committee during the probe is whether UK football clubs should be treated any differently to other commercial organisations.

MPs will also look at whether the existing rules and governing bodies are fit-for-purpose, and whether the government should intervene in the ownership of clubs. Committee chair John Whittingdale said: "The government has said that it will encourage the reform of football governance rules to support the co-operative ownership of football clubs by supporters.

"Our inquiry will look at the case for strategic government intervention and improved self-regulation and will consider models which involve supporters more in how clubs are run."