The eight Premier League teams who helped block a move to prevent clubs from loaning players off 'partner' outfits have been confirmed.
The Times reported Newcastle were joined by Sheffield United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton, Wolves, Burnley and Nottingham Forest in rejecting the amendment. As a result of Tuesday's decision, the Magpies will be free to loan players from other teams also owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in January.
It's understood the other 12 top-flight clubs voted to pass the measure, just two short of the minimum 14 votes required for approval. Newcastle have been linked with a move for Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves, who left Wolves to join Al-Hilal in the summer but could be brought back to England as a short-term replacement for the suspended Sandro Tonali.
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Most of the eight clubs that voted against the ban are themselves part of multi-club models that benefit from the current structure. Man City's Abu Dhabi owners, City Football Group, also run La Liga's Girona, French outfit Troyes, Italian side Palermo and Major League Soccer club New York City, to name a few.
The Times reported there was 'particular anger' from the failed 12 voters directed at Sheffield United, who are owned by Saudi prince Abdullah bin Musaid Al Saud. The Blades have struggled for points in their Premier League return this season and only recently ended a lengthy win drought.
Do you agree teams should be free to transfer players between partner clubs? Let us know in the comments section below.
The PIF announced a deal to take over the four of the biggest clubs in the Pro League earlier this year: Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli. With a flood of top-tier talent moving to Saudi Arabia this past summer, Tuesday's decision threatens to give Newcastle priority access to deals involving any of the elite stars from those teams.
There are fears some clubs are capitalising on the multi-club format to gain an unfair advantage over the opposition. The system allows teams to hand players experience while keeping them on their books, as well as circulating talent between clubs at lowered risk.
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Premier League lawmakers have brought in new rules to ensure every transaction of more than £1million between clubs under the same ownership must be assessed to ensure they represent fair value. That extends beyond just player transfers, with other dealings (such as sponsorships) also up for scrutiny.
In the event a deal is viewed as suspicious, it will be assessed by an independent party to examine whether any sum has been 'artificially inflated'. Despite reports linking Al-Hilal's Neves with a move to St. James' Park, it's been reported sources say Newcastle aren't interested in the player.
