Kieran Maguire: Leeds United takeover faces new twist after vote passes
The EFL want to ‘protect’ Leeds United and other clubs from bad owners by delaying the announcements of takeovers.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the changes to the EFL’s takeover regulations.
As reported by The Athletic (12 July), the EFL has approved regulation changes to stop football clubs from announcing takeovers still subject to approval.
The Whites announced in early June that an agreement was reached between Aser Ventures and the 49ers Enterprises for the purchase of the club.
However, the takeover has faced multiple delays, with the EFL still yet to green-light the change of ownership.
As per the EFL’s new regulations, Leeds would have to wait until the EFL fully approved the takeover before announcing it, with clubs facing potential fines if they prematurely announce an agreement.
Maguire insists the changes are good for football in general as it stops the EFL from being pressured into accepting new owners.
“The vote to change takeovers within the EFL is there to reduce the amount of pressure being put on the approval of deals,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“We have seen in previous cases, clubs announce takeovers subject to EFL approval and then the EFL comes under scrutiny and pressure to approve a deal they could have reservations over.
“We have seen deals in recent months such as the potential takeover at Morecambe that often there is more or less to owners than meets the eye.
“Anything that allows the EFL investigators to do a thorough job is in the best interest of football.
“The last thing we want is more Steve Dales in football.
“The new ruling is not anti-Leeds, it’s there to protect Leeds from being acquired by miscreants.“
In other news, Sam Byram returns to Leeds United on trial