Multi Club Owners

The Premier League's latest battlefront

Plans to restrict loans between Premier League clubs and their overseas affiliates have been narrowly defeated - amid claims that self interest has once again trumped the wider interests of the game.

The trend for top English clubs to belong to larger sporting conglomerates has accelerated in recent seasons - a phenomenon discussed in a recent episode of the ‘Where’s The Money Gone?’ podcast.

Eleven Premier League clubs are now part of multi club groups, including Champions Manchester City (who have a dozen associates worldwide) and Crystal Palace, whose owner John Textor has five clubs under his control.

180 clubs globally now belong to these larger groups according to European football’s governing body UEFA, compared to just 40 in 2012.

UEFA have previously banned clubs with the same owners playing against each other in their competitions, but relented this season, despite the obvious risk of a conflict of interest (or at least, the appearance of a conflict of interest).

In a group situation, for example, it’s not difficult to imagine the furore that would arise if a team conceded a last minute goal in a group match that helped its sister club gain an extra point (or three) to qualify for the knockout stages.

There are also concerns that multi club ownership models make it more difficult to monitor financial compliance.

If a player is transferred from one club to another within the same group, is it possible that their fee might be inflated to help the selling club comply with Profit and Sustainability rules? Stranger things have happened.

Then there’s the possibility that clubs might see their less prestigious associates as a “player bank” to draw on when the need arises. Injury stricken Newcastle United, for example, are reported to be looking to sign former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves on loan from Saudi club Al Hillal, with whom they share an owner.

In this scenario, teams who belong to a large group have a clear competitive advantage.

This isn’t a good look for the Premier League at a moment when they are seeking to fend off an Independent Regulator. EPL Chief Exec Richard Masters belatedly moved to close the loan ‘loophole’ only to be embarrassed by member clubs who failed to give it the necessary backing.

The plan won support from 12 clubs (with eight voting against) but fell short of the 14 votes needed to change the rules.

You can listen below to the episode of the ‘Where’s The Money Gone’ podcast with me and Charlie Methven, discussing multi club ownership.

here.