The Independent Review of European Football, on which I sat, presented its findings to Tony Blair yesterday but it is already having to fight off some ludicrous claims from the right-wing press.

The Sunday Telegraph published an article practically accusing the European Union of attempting a coup on football, claiming Brussels would “sieze” control of the game and “direct” it through the European Commission.

As euromyths go this one is rivalling the Sun’s “EU bans barmaids’ cleavage” for absurdity.

I have appeared on Five Live to counter the Sunday Telegraph’s article and written to several newspapers, but now, perhaps predictably, the Sun has joined in saying "English football taken over by barmpots of Brussels".

A common misapprehension appears to be that, despite having independent in its title, the Independent Review is the work of the EU. The Independent Review was set up by governments under Britain’s Presidency of the EU and is backed by UEFA. However, out of the 13 people who sat on it there were just two MEPs, including myself. Others were academics, finance professionals, civil servants and judges in the world Court of Arbitration in Sport - all with a high level of expertise in the field.

It was created to evaluate the state of the game and with its findings, make reccomendations to UEFA, leagues, the EU and national authorities, but it has no power over them.

The bulk of the recommendations are directed at the footballing authorities. Some address governments and some are directed at the EU, mainly to request it to interpret its existing laws in a way that recognises the specific needs of sport and leaves sporting authorities maximum leeway. Where EU legislation is suggested, it is mainly to allow derogations from existing EU law.

The vast majority of clubs, fans and football authorities hold concerns for the game, with the concentration of wealth and success in the hands of just a few clubs being a major worry.

The financial management of clubs is also an issue of major importance. The huge debts incurred by the likes of Leeds and Borussia Dortmund (from chasing a Champions League place) and the implosion of ITV Digital all demonstrate just how close football has been to financial disaster.

Many of the Independent Review’s recommendations centre around these issues. Several of them amount to spreading best pracice from England to other countrties. But, as I have said, whether or not they are implemented will be mainly down to UEFA and the respective football authorities.