Culture Minister Lucy Fraser says foreign ownership of football clubs will not be blocked

The government insists it will not prevent countries from owning football clubs – despite a decision to ban foreign control of newspapers.

Both issues are on the desk of Culture Secretary Lucy Fraser, with plans by England’s football regulator advancing amid an Abu Dhabi-led takeover of the Daily Telegraph. effectively blocked.

Ms Fraser told Sky News: “We will not be taking any steps related to foreign ownership of football clubs.”

While newspapers appear to be the more important means of exerting political influence, football has shown how clubs can become instruments of the state.

Some Newcastle fans become cheerleaders Saudi Arabia As kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund fends off human rights protests, country buys northeastern region super league 2021 Club.

Abu Dhabi’s presence is felt around the world manchester city Because they have transformed into a global force.

Today, City are the reigning English and European champions but were far from a sweep of trophies before Sheikh Mansour took over the club in 2008, which the club insists is privately owned.

Vice president United Arab Emirates In addition, the company holds a 75% stake in the US-Abu Dhabi joint venture, which had proposed acquiring the Telegraph newspaper and the Spectator magazine until Whitehall recently intervened over media freedom issues.

But the government is less concerned about foreign governments taking control of national football bodies, despite introducing mechanisms to prevent this – pushing ahead with plans for England’s football regulator to impose tougher tests on ownership.

Asked about foreign country ownership, Ms Fraser said: “We are not saying who should own the club – where they live.

“What we say about ownership is, you need to be the right guy. I think it’s the right decision.”

read more:
Premier League vying for landmark deal
Premier League launches new fight over rule changes
FA urged to ban trans women from women’s games

Asked whether a suitable owner would be complicit in human rights abuses, or come from a country that might murder journalists and jail dissidents, Ms Fraser responded: “I don’t think regulators should dictate issues of foreign policy.

“That’s what the government should be doing. So this bill is about financial regulation. It’s about making sure these clubs don’t go bankrupt. It’s about protecting fans and making sure fans are at the heart of the game.”