What’s in the Premier League Owners Charter to stop Super League threat?

Robin Bairner

Updated: 17 Sept 2021 14:52 BST
3 min read

#GlazersOut, #KroenkeOut, #AgnelliOut – the fan rebellions against Super League owners — © ProShots

Premier League clubs will be obliged to sign up to an Owners’ Charter in the months ahead, with the purpose of the document to head off any potential threat of a European Super League.

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The move comes months after Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham signed up to join such a breakaway competition only to see their plans crumble amid supporter anger.

Technically, the European Super League remains a possibility that is still on the table, despite the Premier League giants withdrawing from the competition within hours of the announcement. Barcelona and Real Madrid remain actively pushing for the new tournament, while Juventus retain an interest in it coming to fruition, too.

In a bid to prevent this threat becoming a reality, the Premier League will have clubs sign an Owners’ Charter.

Sky News reports there are nine key points in the agreement, which each club will be made to sign to participate in the Premier League.

Key to the whole deal is that clubs will be made to commit their futures to the English football pyramid and the possibility of promotion and relegation based on sporting merit.

Clubs will also be compelled to act in good faith and with sporting integrity.

Crucially, owners will be prevented from creating or playing in any new tournaments not authorised by Premier League rules.

The other six points are as follows:

The English game must be backed and the national teams supported

Discrimination and abuse must be combatted

Clubs must be run in an economically stable and sustainable way

To ensure the Premier League remains the world’s most-watched domestic football competition

To protect player welfare

To recognise the power of the 20 clubs as a collective.

Clubs will also be asked to recognise the importance of fans and local communities in which they exist, while all Premier League clubs will be granted an equal voice.