Man United, Man City and Newcastle sit up as clubs agree new owners' and directors' rules
FOOTBALL Premier League: Man United, Man City and Newcastle sit up as clubs agree new owners' and directors' rules

PREMIER LEAGUE Man United, Man City and Newcastle sit up as clubs agree new owners' and directors' rules

Ayoola Kelechi • 17:06 - 30.03.2023

Manchester United's potential new owners to be investigated under new Premier League rule changes

Clubs in the Premier League will have to pay closer attention to who they allow to own their sports teams and franchises in the future after amendments were made to the Owners' and Directors' Test (OADT).

According to the new laws, individuals can now be blocked from owning or directing a Premier League club if they are under government sanctions or have been found guilty of human rights abuses. 

Premier League announce new changes to owners' and directors’ laws

The new laws decree that people can be disqualified if they are found to be guilty of or under investigation for human rights violations under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations for 2020. 

The amendments to the rules were agreed upon after a unanimous vote by all 20 Premier League clubs allowing the league’s body allows a number of new steps and checks for owners. 

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The amendments come following heavy criticism of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) takeover of Newcastle, despite the country's shocking human rights record. 

The Premier League has also announced that current owners will also be subject to scrutiny to ensure that they are up to standard as regards the new rules. 

Manchester City and Manchester United owners to come under increased scrutiny

The news of the amendments to the rules comes in the midst of an ongoing battle for the ownership of Manchester United with Saudi Banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in contention to become proprietor of the club. 

Sheikh Jassim is part of the Qatari royal family, being the third son of the former Emir of Qatar and the kingdom’s former heir apparent. 

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His ties to the Royal family of Qatar puts his contention under threat after the country was accused of several human rights violations in its recent history, including the abhorrent treatment of migrant workers during the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted in Qatar. 

Manchester City’s proprietary group, the City football group is also owned majorly by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment which has an 81% stake in the company. 

Sheikh Mansour is also part of a gulf royal family and is the vice president and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, another country embroiled in human rights and censorship crises. 

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Premier League Manchester United Manchester City Newcastle United