The Premier League has finally decided to tighten its ownership rules to block anyone found to have committed human rights abuses from running a club.
Human rights abuses, as determined by the UK’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations, will now see someone disqualified from passing the top-flight’s owners’ and directors’ test, as per BBC Sport.
On top of that, individuals subject to UK government sanctions will also be banned and they amended the list of criminal offences, They include violence, corruption, fraud, tax evasion and hate crimes.
This is set to raise further questions over state-owned clubs, like Man City and Newcastle, as well as the Qatari consortium trying to buy Manchester United.
Statement from the Premier League on clubs unanimously approving changes to the Owners’ and Directors’ Test (OADT): pic.twitter.com/CcZlMpWCyk
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) March 30, 2023
The Premier League has decided that it no longer wants its clubs to become victims of sportswashing. An interesting development nonetheless.
Conservative MP Tracey Crouch said the changes were “smoke and mirrors.”
They haven’t updated the ruling to stop owners like the Glazers from ruining football clubs. That’s the only negative I can see in all of this.
In another update, BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone said it is being stressed that Sheikh Jassim’s bid for United is being made as a private individual and therefore no issues are expected from the Premier League.
Being stressed Sheikh Jassim's bid for @ManUtd is being made as a private individual and therefore no issues are expected re Premier League's statement around owners and directors today.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) March 30, 2023
Nothing will change as long as loopholes exist.
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