All 20 Premier League clubs have voted to introduce a new owners’ charter, according to The Mirror. It comes as the annual general meeting is being held, with a number of topics covered on how to improve the league in its current climate.
Thursday saw changes passed that continued a £30 price cap on away tickets as well as the suspension of Russia’s broadcasting rights following the invasion of Ukraine. The latest is the owners’ charter, first proposed following the Super League saga in 2021.
The charter outlines rules on equal votes amongst all 20 clubs, a fully open Premier League, an anti-discriminatory charter and a pledge based on sporting merit, meaning a club couldn’t qualify for Europe based on a coefficient or previous continental success. It is a move made to keep the “big six” clubs in check after last year’s Super League debacle.
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In April 2021, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool were all part of a proposed breakaway league, a self-invited competition that was closed off from other clubs unless they were permitted entry. It was a move that caused plenty of backlash among supporters across the country.
This was partially due to the lack of fan involvement in the process, which may have stopped such an idea being pushed through. Protests were pictured at all of the Premier League clubs involved, eventually forcing each one to back out of the process after just 48 hours.
Plenty of discussions have been held since about how to improve how supporters can guide the club in a direction that matches their desires. This includes the likes of a 50+1 rule, which is used in Germany, that gives the fans a golden share and the key decision making power over their owners.
While this hasn’t been proposed as a solution in England, it appears that the owners’ charter is one way that the problem has been addressed. However, it is unlikely to be implemented until 2024, when UEFA’s new-look Champions League comes into effect.
