Following the Premier League voting against a temporary ban on loan deals between teams with the same ownership in January, we’re taking a look at how rule changes and voting works in the English top-flight.
How Do Premier League Rule Change Votes Work?
To enforce a rule change in the Premier League, each of the 20 teams must vote on the matter. Unlike most other democracies, they don’t simply need a majority for the new rule to pass through.
In the English top-flight, 14 votes in favour are needed to enforce a rule change.
This requirement has become highly scrutinised in recent days after the league voted against a temporary ban on loan deals between teams with the same ownership in the upcoming January transfer window.
Just 13 teams voted in favour of the temporary block, with seven opting against it. This means that for example, Newcastle United – who are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – can sign players from Saudi clubs also owned by PIF.
Recent mumblings have suggested the Magpies are interested in signing former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves in January, who currently plays for Al-Hilal. Newcastle are keen to find a replacement for the suspended Sandro Tonali.
“It needed 14 clubs to vote for it”
Kaveh Solhekol on the Premier League clubs vote against a temporary ban on player loans between associated clubs ✍️ pic.twitter.com/ofA88hlknp
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 22, 2023
Premier League Teams With The Same Ownership
- Arsenal: Colorado Rapids
- Aston Villa: Vitória Sport Clube, ZED FC, Vissel Kobe
- Bournemouth: FC Lorient
- Brighton: Union Saint-Gilloise
- Chelsea: Strasbourg
- Crystal Palace: Lyon, Botafogo, RWD Molenbeek
- Manchester City: New York City, Melbourne City, Yokohama F Marinos, Montevideo, Girona, Sichuan Jiuniu, Mumbai City, Lommel SK, ESTAC Troyes, Palermo, Bahia, Club Bolivar
- Newcastle: Al Nassr, Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal
- Nottingham Forest: Olympiakos
- Sheffield United: Beerschot, Al Hilal United, Kereala United, Chateauroux
- West Ham: Sparta Prague
We can also add Manchester United to this list pending the completion of Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s 25% stake in the club. The British billionaire also owns OGC Nice and FC Lausanne-Sport.
There are 11 teams who could be impacted by the rule change, so it’s no surprise to see that it didn’t pass through.
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