The English Football League will "consider introducing rules" to give it power to "challenge incompetent owners and intervene at clubs in crisis" like League Two side Leyton Orient, according to Giuseppe Muro of the London EVENING STANDARD. The EFL has been criticized for "not doing more to help clubs such as Orient," which has been brought to its knees by "poor ownership." Leyton Orient Owner Francesco Becchetti "failed to pay players and staff in March" and the relegated League Two club is "due back in the High Court for a winding up petition" on June 12 over unpaid bills. Fans have "called for tighter controls" but the EFL has "no power to intervene" once an owner has passed its owners and directors test "and is in position." EFL CEO Shaun Harvey said that the EFL board -- which consists of 10 directors, six of whom are divisional representatives elected by member clubs -- "will discuss whether the rules need changing." Harvey: "It is something I am sure the board will want to look at. I think I would be very interested in having a debate as to what is possible for us to achieve" (EVENING STANDARD, 5/9).
