16 Apr 2010English Premier League considers ownership measures

Football Clubs News | Football Finance News

The English Premier League is reportedly set to introduce tough new restrictions targeted at keeping its clubs out of the hands of unfit owners.

Representatives of the league's 20 sides met in London yesterday (April 15th) to discuss tighter regulations.

After sustained and fierce criticism, the so-called fit and proper persons test could be in for a radical overhaul. Prospective buyers could soon face means testing to ensure they can afford to fund teams, thereby keeping asset-strippers out of the game.

Under the new rules, would-be investors would have to meet league representatives in person before any takeover could go through. In addition, their future finances will have to be guaranteed to prevent the plug simply being pulled on clubs.

This season has seen a great deal of financial turbulence for a number of English top-flight sides, with Manchester United and Liverpool's debts continuing to mount and troubled Portsmouth seeing four different owners in four months.

Written by Paul Roberts

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