Recently, the British government confirmed that stricter regulations will be introduced for the ownership of English football clubs. The idea behind it is to contribute to more financial security. Amnesty had hoped for more. – Unfortunately, the proposal does not, as of today, mention human rights, and thus will not attack the major problem which is that regimes from authoritarian states buy Premier League clubs to build their own reputation and divert attention away from the human rights violations they commit. This is what Frank Conde Tangberg, political advisor at Amnesty International Norway, says to news. He calls the proposal from the British authorities “disappointing”. The governing authorities will introduce an independent regulator for English football, and call it “A bold plan to protect the long-term future of English football”. The proposal comes in the wake of clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United being linked to possible acquisitions from parts of the world that do not win awards when it comes to human rights. Recently, Newcastle was acquired by Saudi Arabia’s state investment fund. Photo: Tom Balgaard / news Furthermore, they describe it as a radical change for the regulations. In practice, the introduction of an independent regulator means: Club owners must be able to prove where their wealth comes from, and any new owners must be able to prove and document that they have acquired their wealth legally. Stricter tests and criteria that must be met when potentially new owners are to be assessed as to whether they are fit to take over a Premier League club. Avoid drastic changes to the traditions of the club, such as changing a club logo, name or kit colours. Supporters and supporter organizations will be given a greater role in the club scene. Ensure that clubs are financially viable. Prevent another attempt to establish a new Superliga. – There is nothing in this test that excludes people who have been guilty of war crimes or torture. There are no human rights violations that are serious enough to exclude owners of a Premier League club. In 2021, Amnesty International presented a proposal to the Premier League, which would introduce human rights criteria as part of this ownership test. The submitted proposal does not seem to change this, says Tangberg. – Quite radical He points to the fact that several countries with a dirty record on human rights are already owners of Premier League clubs, and points out that the United Arab Emirates own Manchester City, while Newcastle is owned by Saudi Arabia. In addition, Qatar is planning an acquisition of Manchester United. The regulator must also ensure that the money that comes into the Premier League is distributed in a fairer way beyond the football pyramid. The scheme will apply from the Premier League (top level) down to level five in the English league system. SPORTS COMMENTATOR: Jan Petter Saltvedt. Photo: Martin Leigland / news – It is quite an interesting move, and quite radical to start and mix politics so clearly into the operation of the biggest football league in the world. It also shows that it has clearly developed into what seems to be an unfortunate culture. And there is no insignificant Robin Hood element in this: it comes primarily to protect the smaller clubs and ensure that they get their share of an increasingly powerful, economic pie. And then it is to protect what football most of all lives for: Namely the fans, says news’s sports commentator Jan Petter Saltvedt. Money over human rights But human rights violations are not mentioned with a single word in the new legislation. Saltvedt thinks it shows how political this is. – When you are first going to have a body like this, you would have hoped that they would also deal with and take care of this type of question. But there are also limits to how far the politicians want to go. The government will show action, but not so much that it goes beyond the relationship with trading partners, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, he says, and adds: – Football is important in England, but the money is more important. This is a step in the right direction, and one must hope that looking at the human rights history of the owners will be the next step. But there is every reason for concern on Amnesty’s part. BIG LEAGUE: Erling Braut Haaland is just one of a number of star players in the Premier League. Photo: Kin Cheung / AP – Clearly a big improvement Ray Tørnkvist, head of the Supporters’ Union for British football, says like Saltvedt that he would like to see human rights mentioned in the new legislation, but still thinks this is a step in the right direction. – There will clearly be a big change, and hopefully for the better. It is clear that the vast majority of people in England want this change. But I think human rights should be mentioned at the same time. It should be an important element. But all this is very new, so it remains to be seen, says Tørnkvist to news. According to several British media, including The Independent, several Premier League clubs will be against the introduction of an independent regulator as they fear it will make them less attractive to investors and to a global audience. OWNER: David Sullivan. Photo: MATTHEW CHILDS / Reuters West Ham owner David Sullivan is not enthusiastic about the new proposal from the governing authorities. – It’s a terrible idea. The government is lousy at managing anything. Look at the chaos the country is in. The Premier League is the best run and most successful league in the world. Why does an incompetent government think it can improve something? says Sullivan to Sky Sports. – Perhaps it is time to set boundaries for who should own clubs with completely different purposes than football and what is best for the fans and their interests? The fans have felt powerless. There are no limits to what owners can come up with, and now you have a body that can stop the most extreme plans. You don’t want a blue Liverpool or a red Manchester City, says Saltvedt. He highlights the case of Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan, who was met with strong reactions when he decided to change Cardiff City’s club colors from blue to red. Greed: This red flag hung on the outside of Anfield Stadium when Liverpool play their home games. Photo: Jon Super / AP – Self-interest and greed The new regulations have been worked on for a long time, but have been postponed several times. It was first postponed when the Boris Johnson government collapsed last year and was postponed again when the Premier League targeted Manchester City for over 100 breaches of the rules between 2009 and 2018. The initiative for reforms and regulation comes as a consequence of several things that have happened. The corona pandemic had major financial consequences for several English clubs, and several traditional clubs, such as Bolton Wanderers, were on the verge of bankruptcy. Bury actually went bankrupt, and disappeared altogether. In the spring of 2021, twelve clubs from England, Spain and Italy announced that they had started a private league – the Super League. It was met with strong reactions, such as protests from supporters and condemnation from large parts of the football world. Most of the clubs withdrew within a short time, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus still want a Superliga. EXPERT: Gary Neville. Photo: STRINGER A “fan-led review” – An investigation of supporters and supporter groups, carried out by former sports minister Tracey Crouch, concluded that English football is in “great danger” unless reforms are introduced. One of the great advocates for an independent regulator in English football is former Manchester Untied player and current football expert for Sky Sports, Gary Neville. He has written a book (The People’s Game) which largely deals with it, and he has not hesitated to share his opinions in interviews or on Twitter. – The vast majority want an independent regulator of football. It is only the elite in the Premier League who do not want it. And that in a way reflects our society. Self-interest and greed will try to control where the money goes, Neville has stated. The news about the new law comes just a few days after the first deadline for filing a complaint against Manchester United expired. The British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Hassim bin Hamad Al Thani from Qatar have lodged a complaint there.
ttn-69
– A terrible idea – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
