Clubs turn up heat on Premier League chief

PREMIER LEAGUE chief executive Richard Masters is facing mounting criticism from a significant group of clubs who have united in opposition to his leadership over a number of issues.

Mail Sport can reveal that seven of the clubs who refused to back the Premier League’s introduction of new associated party transaction rules [APT] this week were among the eight who voted down proposals to ban loan transfers in November, leading to concerns among the executive over the emergence of a group of serial rebels.

Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United are understood to have voted against the Premier League at a tense shareholders’ meeting yesterday, with Crystal Palace and Burnley believed to have abstained.

The motion to tighten APT rules was passed by the narrowest margin possible, with two-thirds of the 18 votes cast in favour, but the row may rumble on as City are threatening to take legal action against the Premier League on the grounds that the restrictions breach competition law. The Premier League were left grateful to Wolves, who surprised many by voting in favour having previously opposed rules designed to prevent clubs from signing commercial deals with related companies at inflated prices.

Wolves were one of the eight clubs who blocked the introduction of a ban on loan deals between clubs who are part of the same ownership group last November, along with City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Everton, Forest, Sheffield United and Burnley.

Wolves are understood to have altered their position due to the Premier League amending the APT regulations, although this change was not enough to mollify the other rebels. In another worrying development for the Premier League, Crystal Palace appear to have joined the list of unhappy clubs by abstaining yesterday.

Masters’ position is not under immediate threat as he is busily engaged fighting for the Premier League on a number of fronts, but he is facing mounting complaints.