Premier League clubs that voted against the ban on signing players from clubs owned by the same entities have been revealed.
These clubs blocked a temporary ban on incoming loan transfers between sister clubs, following important deliberations at a shareholders’ meeting on Tuesday, November 22, 2023.
The ban proposal which was fast-tracked wasn’t agreed to by 14 teams in the Premier League, a figure needed to implement the change.
This is a noticeable figure, as they missed out by only 2 votes after a 12-8 ballot was brought back.
This rightly indicates that teams like Newcastle United won’t be hampered from signing players from PIF-backed teams – Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli.
Premier League clubs that voted against the ban
It has been revealed that Saudi-owned Sheffield United alongside Manchester City, who have Abu Dhabi owners voted against the “related-party loans” ban.
Reports indicate that the other notable six teams in the top flight that voted against the implementation of the ban include; Chelsea, Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, Burnley, and Nottingham Forest.
A handful of the 8 teams are clubs that have owners, who own multiple football teams across the globe.
Clubs frequently use the avenue of having ties with other teams to send their players on loan for further improvement.
Chelsea for one are a noticeable example, with Todd Boehly acquiring French Ligue 1 club Strasbourg.
Newcastle United, also still have the opportunity as aforementioned to trade players with Saudi teams owned by PIF, who have an 80% stake in the Magpies.
It is obviously known that Sandro Tonali has been slammed with a ban until August 2024, and as such, Eddie Howe’s side could look at the possibility of signing Ruben Neves.
There are a plethora of star names saturated in the Saudi Pro League and this is a massive opportunity that Newcastle United might be looking to exploit.
Some star footballers in Saudi Arabia
Names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante all ply their trade in the Saudi Pro League and these players can still cut it for the biggest of teams in Europe.
There were reports that officials representing some of the 12 clubs were infuriated by Sheffield United’s decision to vote against the ball.
The Blades as aforementioned are also Saudi-owned with Saudi prince Abdullah bin Musaid Al Saud being the owner of the club.
The fast-tracked ban proposal was tabled at the end of the 2022/23 season after Newcastle United secured the acquisition of the 4 gigantic clubs in the Pro League – Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad.
Meanwhile, Everton’s 10-point deduction for going against Financial Fair Play rules and an impending ban against Manchester City were reportedly discussed during the meeting in London.
Chelsea are also facing charges for allegedly breaching financial rules and they could also be slammed with stiff punishments in the future.
