He Manchester City is going through one of the worst sporting and economic moments since the investment group Abu Dhabi United Group bought the club in 2008. Last Friday, November 22, the club lost its battle for the Transactions between associated parties and now the Labor politician John Steve Bassam introduced a bill to end state clubs.
The main problem of Mansour ben Zayedowner of the club, is not the crisis of results in which the team is plunged, but rather the amendments which are attempted with the aim of making a A fairer Premier League.
As reported by the English newspaper The timesLord Bassam’s proposal would specifically affect two clubs: Manchester City and the Newcastle United. This measure must, however, be approved by the British Parliament, but if it materializes, it would force the two clubs to change ownership.
The Labor MP’s aim is to prevent English clubs from being owned or controlled by sovereign wealth funds or ministers from any country. He Manchester City is the property of Mansour, vice-president of United Arab Emirates; while the Newcastle It was bought for 330 million euros in 2021 by the Public investment fund (FPI) of Saudi Arabia.
For the amendment to become law, it would have to receive the support of MPs in the House of Commons, that is, it would only be adopted if the government approves it. According to experts, “the chances of the amendment being approved are slim, but some Premier League clubs have already asked the government to introduce such a ban,” reports the English newspaper.
Business relationships under threat
The reform of English football saw the light of day in 2021 following the creation of the Super League and is already being approved by the British Parliament. One of John Steve Bassam’s proposals consists of create an independent regulator which controls the financial activity of club owners.
“No state-controlled club can be granted an operating license, and any affected club must demonstrate to the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) that it has disengaged from state control before applying an operating license.”
In other words, an independent regulator supervises club owners and provides licenses to owners be able to participate in competitions. In this way, if the clubs do not follow the rules, they will not obtain the license and therefore will not be able to compete.
Commercial relations between United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates They could be affected if this bill passes, although the Labor MP has insisted on applying the independent regulator so that UK trade policies are not taken into account in decisions.
West Ham United vice-president, Karen Brady admitted to fearing that the regulator would harm the Prime Minister since it is a risky business. “It’s a risk trying to get promoted, just like relegation. It’s a risk getting to the Champions League and also playing regularly in European competitions. All football team owners know these risks and everyone manages them differently”, according to The times.
Karren Brady at an event with West Ham United.
Barclays
Brady criticized this Wednesday in the House of Lords the fact that the government ignored the UEFA warnings: “They have removed incentives for a football-focused deal, which specifically goes against UEFA’s advice. So it appears the government has ignored this letter and its warnings.”
“The operation of the regulator must compromise the ability of football clubs, competition organizers or national teams to fulfill their obligations to international governing bodies, including UEFA and FIFA, or to participate in their competitions,” acknowledged Karen.
Manchester City’s lost battle
The clubs of first League approved changes to the sponsorship rules last Friday, which represents a harsh defeat for the Manchester City in his battle for Transactions between associated parties. Only four clubs voted against the proposals: Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
This vote took place after City won a court case on the grounds that the regulation of associated companiesthat is to say those who belong to the same owner as the club and who maintain economic relations with it, was unfair and went against the law of the free market.
With these changes, the Prime Minister is trying to avoid artificially inflating the trade agreements that clubs sign with companies linked to their owners. In total, 16 clubs approved the changes and four rejected them. For this type of voting, the approval of at least fourteen teams is required.
