The Premier League "tightened ownership rules that could block takeovers from disreputable owners," after recent controversies surrounding "foreign buyers attempting to gain a foothold within one of the world's richest sports leagues," according to Murad Ahmed of the FINANCIAL TIMES. The 20 clubs in English football’s top division voted for changes to the owners and directors test. The move was "sparked by concerns about the background of groups and individuals that have attempted takeovers of clubs in the past year." According to a senior football exec "close to the decision," one of the new rules means that "if the league has reason to believe it has been misled during a proposed change of control," then it could block a takeover. Another rule "could bar potential owners" if there is evidence they have committed an act in a foreign jurisdiction that would be considered a criminal offense in the U.K., even if it "was not considered illegal in their home territory." The EPL declined to comment (FT, 6/9). SKY NEWS' Mark Kleinman reported the amendment to the rule book was "partly inspired by a move by Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng to take control of Southampton" in a deal reported to be worth £200M ($255M). Gao "had admitted to bribery offences, but gave evidence for the prosecution in two separate cases," meaning that he "escaped charges himself." Because he has not been convicted of an offense, the Premier League "is understood to have had no existing grounds to block his bid." The changes to the owners and directors test "follow growing unease -- both in football and in Westminster -- about the influx of club owners who have often sought to keep details of their financial affairs beyond the scrutiny" of the EPL (SKY NEWS, 6/9).
EFL RESPONDS: In London, James Benge reported English Football League clubs "agreed to a more stringent approach to their owners' and directors' test after the recent debacle" surrounding Leyton Orient. The EFL "has come in for heavy criticism in recent months for not doing enough to help clubs whose owners have heaped difficulty on them." The league pledged to consult with its clubs during the '17-18 season over whether the owners' and directors' test "is fit for purpose, and in the meantime a series of amendments have been agreed for immediate introduction in a bid to strengthen the existing test" (EVENING STANDARD, 6/9).
