Dr Dan Plumley

Fri 2 December 2022 12:10, UK

An independent regulator for English football could introduce a new owners’ and directors’ test with the power to block a state-backed Liverpool takeover.

That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about potential barriers to Fenway Sports Group finding a buyer willing to match their demands.

FSG announced in November that they were willing to relinquish control of Liverpool after over 12 years in charge.

The Daily Mail reported last Sunday (27 November) that the Merseysiders are now in talks with consortiums from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

It is understood that the groups are private rather than state-owned but do have close links to their respective country’s governments.

Tracey Crouch MP, the architect of the Fan-Led Review of Football Governance, claimed on 15 November that she is confident that English football will introduce an independent regulator within the next five years.

Plumley forecasts that if the independent regulator is enforced by the government then it could scupper a state-supporter Liverpool takeover.

“The problem with independent regulation is we don’t know who is going to enforce it,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.

“The Premier League don’t want it, so you’re looking for the government to step in and enforce it.

“Is there a real appetite for that? I’m not so sure at the moment. But if they do it that way, you could change the owners’ and directors’ test. But it will be tricky to do that from the outside.

“If we look at that in the context of Liverpool and the Super League, independent regulation could veto it. But we don’t have that situation at the moment.

“Interestingly, Liverpool have said they wouldn’t compete in it but that’s the current owners. If you have new owners come in from Qatar or somewhere else, that changes everything.”

In other news, pundit tell Liverpool to now launch Mason Mount U-turn after “absurd” update.