'Harder to fail than GCSE PE' - Leeds United chief on Premier League test, Newcastle United owners and necessary review

Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear says the media and public focus on Newcastle United should be on how their new owners embrace 'equality, diversity and inclusion.'
By Graham Smyth
Published 23rd Oct 2021, 13:42 BST
Updated 23rd Oct 2021, 13:44 BST
NEW OWNERS - Chairman of Newcastle United, Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Amanda Staveley, minority-stake owner at St James' Park. Pic: GettyNEW OWNERS - Chairman of Newcastle United, Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Amanda Staveley, minority-stake owner at St James' Park. Pic: Getty
NEW OWNERS - Chairman of Newcastle United, Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Amanda Staveley, minority-stake owner at St James' Park. Pic: Getty

Writing in his programme notes for the Whites' Elland Road game against Wolves, Kinnear poked fun at the integrity of the Premier League' s owners and directors' test and called for a division-wide review of financial fair play in the top flight.

According to the Premier League, the owners and directors' test 'outlines requirements that would prohibit an individual from becoming an owner or director of a club, including criminal convictions for a wide range of offences, a ban by a sporting or professional body, or breaches of certain key football regulations, such as match-fixing.'

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The test is applied to all prospective owners and directors, with reviews carried out on a seasonal basis.

Human rights issues in Saudi Arabia have been at the heart of criticism of the recent takeover of Newcastle United by the Public Investment Fund, whose chairman Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is also the current ruler of the Gulf State.

When the PIF bought the Magpies, instantly making them one of the richest clubs in world football, the Premier League released a statement insisting they had received 'legally binding assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control Newcastle United Football Club.'

"The media and public have been left debating why the Premier League owners and directors' test is harder to fail than GCSE PE," wrote Kinnear.

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