Kieran Maguire: The ‘sneaky six’ have just sealed ‘key victory’ over Newcastle
The Premier League’s “sneaky six” have just scored a “key victory” over Newcastle United by squashing proposals for an owners’ charter.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the challenges faced by the Magpies from elite rivals.
An owners’ charter was proposed in the wake of the Super League plot last April with a view of safeguarding the Premier League’s sporting integrity.
Per The Times on Tuesday (15 February) Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and the two Manchester clubs have successfully repelled the idea.
The supporting clubs failed to gather the required votes to carry the motion at a recent Premier League meeting
One facet of the charter would have guaranteed that the only way clubs could qualify for the Champions League is through their league position.
Newcastle’s new owners have grand ambitions with the club and practically unlimited resources.
But the fact the door has been left open for elite clubs to qualify for the Champions League regardless of merit is a concern for PIF, claims Maguire.
“It potentially allows all of the sneaky six to qualify for the Champions League,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“That’s what they wanted all along with Super League. It’s all to do with preserving the closed shop.
“Because Newcastle United are coming from a very low base in terms of the 10-year coefficient, they could finish 5th or 6th and still not qualify.
“With the new regime as far FFP is concerned, Newcastle could find themselves really challenged in terms of keeping within limits.
“They’d be up against clubs that have a big headstart on them every season. So it’s a key victory for those clubs who voted against the charter.”
Newcastle are currently 17th in the Premier League.
They are next in action against West Ham on Saturday (19 February).
In other news, pundit shares “honest” verdict on Newcastle debutant Dan Burn after he thrilled Gary Neville.