The £300million Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United might be the last of its kind after the UK Government backed an independent regulator for English football. A fan-led review chaired by former sports minister Tracey Crouch had been ongoing since the fallout of the European Super League last year.
Other areas of scrutiny include club ownership following the collapse of Bury and Derby County’s well-documented financial difficulties. At the other end of the scale, moral questions regarding the new regime at St James’ Park surfaced upon completion of the deal in October. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s alleged ties with Vladimir Putin also heightened calls to enforce a more rigorous owners’ and directors’ test.
A new regulator - expected to be in place by 2024 - will apply an ‘enhanced’ test to analyse whether potential owners are of a certain level of integrity.
Laws enforced by the UK Government will give the independent regulator power to impose punishments on clubs and oversee their financial books. The Premier League vehemently oppose an independent regulator and insist they are already planning changes to their owners’ and directors’ tests.
A top-flight statement read : “The Premier League recognises and accepts the case for reform and for a strengthened regulatory system across football.
“We welcome the clarity from the Government about their position, and are committed to working with them during this next phase of consultation, although we will continue to maintain that it is not necessary for there to be a statutory-backed regulator.
“Since the publication of the Fan-Led Review, the Premier League and our clubs have been working at pace to understand the full impact of the Review’s recommendations and design and implement policies in response to its objectives; including through reviewing our Owners’ and Directors’ Test.
“We agree that fans are of vital importance to the game and their voices should be better listened to across the League. We will be introducing a number of measures to improve this area and plan to make a detailed announcement before the start of the 2022/23 season.”
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