Premier League denies summit call on the issue of foreign ownership of clubs
26/06/2007 |
 |
 |
Premier League officials deny they are to take part in a summit with sports minister Richard Caborn on the issue of foreign ownership of clubs.
Caborn said he is meeting leading football figures on Tuesday amid concerns the Premier League is becoming a foreign "billionaire's playground."
A spokesman said: "We have no plans to meet with Mr Caborn at present.
"However, we're happy to discuss the legal framework currently offered by Government in relation to takeovers."
Caborn claimed he was due to meet Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and chairman Sir Dave Richards, Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick, and Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney.
The sports minister's call for a summit comes after former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - dubbed "unsavoury" by an MP in parliament - is set to take over Manchester City.
Caborn said: "I think foreign investment has helped the Premier League, it's the best in the world, but I think we have to stop it becoming a billionaire's playground.
"We have to ensure the grassroots and communities from which those clubs came, are respected."
The summit will also investigate the effectiveness of the 'fit and proper person test' for club owners currently used by the leagues and the FA.
Caborn told the House of Commons: "I am meeting the FA, Premier League, and the Football League with Treasury officials on Tuesday, to look at this queston of ownership and a number of other issues.
"We will also look at the 'fit and proper person test' and see whether it is the right tool."
Caborn did not mention any clubs specifically but the ownership issue has been highlighted by the takeover of Manchester City.
Thaksin has been charged with corruption offences in Thailand and had his assets in that country frozen.
The Premier League insists it has no issue with nationality of club owners.
But the League will use the meeting to try and make it easier to carry out 'fit and proper person' checks through government departments such as the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Foreign Office.
The Premier League spokesman added: Our own 'fit and proper persons test' sits on top as an additional layer of regulation.
"As always, the Premier League are happy to work across Government with whoever the appropriate ministers may be in coming weeks."
If and when Thaksin's takeover is complete, it will mean six out of 20 Premier League clubs are in foreign hands.
A number of other clubs including Arsenal and Blackburn are also provoking interest from overseas.
(Source: BBC.co.uk)
|
| Back |
|
|
|
|
 |
