Written by The English Premier League is arguably the bets football league in the world and the pinnacle league for players not just in England but players from all over the world. The reputation this league has continued to have has been revolutionary and has changed the way a lot of clubs are viewed in this league and the players its reputation is second to none. However, as football continues to progress and change all the time a massive change in football has been the ownership of clubs and how they’re now run-in different ways. The premier league is known for having its English core and heritage not just with the players and competitions but also the historic clubs the Premier league has and the manor the clubs are run.
However, is the Premiership losing its heritage within ownership as only 5 out of a possible 20 clubs are run by English owners which is the lowest it’s ever been before. Although the league has worked hard at promoting its brand overseas, catering to a global audience of an estimated 1.35 billion viewers across 188 countries. The globalisation of the English game can also be seen on the pitch, as well as in the boardroom, with just 36.1 percent of its players being English. This is still lower than the Italian league Series A which has 39.9% which make you wonder what is the most prestigious league in world football doing wrong? Also, with Newcastle United’s purchase by the Public Investment Fund of the Saudi Arabian state has raised this issue again and major questions to how such a deal can be allowed. With that being said only Brighton (Tony Bloom), Everton (Farhad Moshiri), Newcastle (Mike Ashley), Tottenham (Joe Lewis) and West Ham (David Gold and David Sullivan) are the only Premier League sides owned solely by Brits. Also, Crystal Palace are part-owned by Steve Parish which just shows how much the English game is being taken over regarding ownership and the impact and popularity of foreign ownership in the premier league has become.
With little English owners left the Premier league is for sure at risk of losing all of its English ownership of clubs and with many of fans complaining about foreign owners and their lack of knowledge regarding the English game. In recent times there have been protest from Clubs such as Manchester United about there owners with fans not attending games, walking out in certain moments of the game to take a stance against ownership. However, this is one of many clubs who are unhappy with their ownership and fans alongside ex-players are always voicing this.
Is there anything the Premier league can do to stop this?