Premier League rules would not stand in the way of a potential Saudi investor taking control of either Liverpool or Manchester United, according to a Telegraph report.
With both North West giants effectively up for sale at present, two highly-valued and rare assets are on the market. Speculation continues to swirl over which individuals or groups may be interested in bids.
Earlier this week, the sports minister of Saudi Arabia stated that his country's Government would "definitely support" private sector moves for control at Anfield or Old Trafford.
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Speaking to BBC Sport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal said that there was a lot of "interest and appetite" in the two teams, both of which have seen their owners open themselves up to either part investment or a full sale in recent weeks.
Al Faisal said: "From the private sector, I can't speak on their behalf, but there is a lot of interest and appetite and there's a lot of passion about football.
"It's the most-watched league in Saudi and the region and you have a lot of fans of the Premier League. We will definitely support it if any [Saudi] private sector comes in, because we know that's going to reflect positively on sports within the kingdom. But if there's an investor willing to do so and the numbers add up, why not?"
In October 2021, the Premier League claimed to have received "legally binding assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control Newcastle United Football Club", when the St James' Park outfit were taken over by a consortium led by the Saudi state’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
While that purchase involved the country's sovereign wealth fund, the potential interest in Liverpool and Manchester United spoken about by Al Faisal would be from private sector Saudi sources.
According to the Telegraph, the Premier League is currently redrafting regulations in its owners and directors’ test (OADT), which lays out criteria that may prevent prospective owners from assuming control of a club.
The Telegraph report states: "Clubs are yet to agree the terms of the latest OADT – the test which all prospective owners and directors must pass – and Telegraph Sport understands its current draft will not preclude individuals on the basis of the political or human rights’ record of their country of origin."
The article adds: "Premier League chief executive Richard Masters acknowledged at the start of the season that the league has consulted with Amnesty International over a human rights element to the OADT. The Premier League is still considering what it says is a subjective test of some kind for prospective owners and the final draft has not been approved yet."
And as per the piece from the Telegraph's Sam Wallace, "there is little appetite for such a subjective test from among the clubs who want to keep all their options open when it comes to a sale."
While the Premier League was ultimately satisfied that the Newcastle takeover involving the Saudi PIF was not state-led, the deal was nevertheless hugely controversial and attracted an intense media spotlight.
Many analysts suggested the lines were at best blurred - especially given the PIF is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is next in line to the Saudi throne. Amnesty International has repeatedly highlighted extensive human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia.
While a precise timeline on the OADT update was not available, Premier League sources indicated to the ECHO that the review process is ongoing and has involved consultation with top flight clubs, the UK Government, the Football Association and English Football League.
Back in March, the BBC reported Premier League chief Masters as saying there had been "some helpful conversations with Amnesty International" - but he was not yet able to confirm how the OADT might change.
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