Premier League to consider human rights abuse in new ownership decisions

The Premier League has passed a new set of strict rules for its owners and directors test. And ufner the new rules, anybody committing human rights abuses will be automatically disqualified from owning a club in the top flight. 

This will be based on the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020, whose definition of human rights abuse will be taken into consideration when the test is drawn up. People and parties are also liable to be disqualified if they are under investigation for an event whose result would be a disqualifying action. 

Premier League passes new rules for disqualifying owners 

Amnesty International was very critical of the Premier League for allowing the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund to take over Newcastle United. The main reason behind it was the country’s serious track record of human rights abuse. 

Any person or company who is sanctioned by a government will also not be considered for ownership. The range of offences has been extended to include those involving violence, corruption, fraud, tax evasion and hate crimes. 

Charity Commission, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Conduct Authority and HMRC are among the different institutions that will be factored in the OADT. If the company or person is suspended from these institutions, then they can’t be considered by the league body. 

The government has also put up a white paper that is asking for football governance to have a third party overseer for the OADT. The third party would potentially replace the existing tests in place and could also review any decisions made.  

Under the new rules set in place by the Premier League, it remains to be seen whether Qatar’s bid for Manchester United could be blocked considering their record with human rights.