Kieran Maguire: Government red tape could scupper Liverpool takeover as new details emerge from Whitehall
Prospective new owners could have “reservations” about buying Liverpool if a new independent regulator is introduced by the government, according to Kieran Maguire.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the football finance guru claimed the new government body will seek to “look after the interests of all stakeholders” amid a potential new block on joining the European Super League project.
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group recently issued a statement (7 November) confirming that they are open to selling the Anfield club and are exploring a deal with major US banks.
Meanwhile, Tracey Crouch MP has insisted she is “confident” that English football will have an independent regulator in “five years’ time”.
Crouch published a new report on 15 November identifying the European Super League as a “threat” to the game – just months after the project’s CEO proposed a potential start date of 2024.
Maguire suggested new Liverpool owners could seek to join the breakaway initiative despite Fenway Sports Group previously speaking out against the ESL.
He told Football Insider’s finance & governance correspondent Adam Williams: “The independent regulators will try to look after the interests of all of the stakeholders, including the fans – who are seeing their voices become more and more marginalised.
“The Premier League have said that some form of moral or ethical clause could be included in the owners and directors test – although there doesn’t seem to be a huge desire for that to happen.
“But in terms of blocking this European Super League, that is far more critical.
“I think the prospective owners, who will likely come from a private equity background and be focused on making as much money as possible, will have reservations about a regulator.
“Fenway Sports Group have previously committed to scrapping the Super League idea, but that won’t necessarily be binding for a new owner coming in.”
In other news, pundit tips “massive” Trent Alexander-Arnold change at Liverpool after development.