Premier League: Premier League Chairman Gary Hoffman resigns following backlash from top clubs over Newcastle takeover – According to various reports Premier League chairman Gary Hoffman has resigned after less than 18 months in the job following a backlash from clubs over the Newcastle United takeover. Many clubs who are furious with the Newcastle takeover are the top-flight clubs and the relegation threatened teams.
Their main issues are understood to revolve around the Saudi Arabian takeover at St James’ Park was finally pushed through and the fact they were not kept informed. Newcastle United who have recently appointed Eddie Howe as their new manager to resurrect them from the relegation zone following the big takeover.
Premier League: For PIF, one of the world’s most impactful investors, the acquisition is in line with its strategy of focusing on key sectors including Sports and Entertainment, and aligns with PIF’s mission to actively invest over the long term – in this case, to harness the Club’s potential and build upon the Club’s legacy.
Commenting on the agreement, His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, said: “We are extremely proud to become the new owners of Newcastle United, one of the most famous clubs in English football.”
“We thank the Newcastle fans for their tremendously loyal support over the years and we are excited to work together with them.”
Premier League: Premier League Chairman Gary Hoffman resigns following backlash from top clubs over Newcastle takeover
Newcastle and Manchester City are also unhappy at the sudden ban on related-party sponsorship deals that was introduced this month. Many will be sad to see him depart given a relative improvement in relations with both the EFL and FA.
His stiffest test, however, came in April this year, when six English clubs confirmed that they had signed a bombshell agreement to join a new European Super League (ESL).
The project imploded in less than 48 hours amid a torrent of criticism from fans, politicians and football administrators including the Premier League.
Mr Hoffman oversaw the subsequent imposition of multimillion pound fines on the six clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – and the removal of their executives from key Premier League sub-committees.
Premier League: Premier League Chairman Gary Hoffman resigns following backlash from top clubs over Newcastle takeover
“All 20 top-flight clubs are understood to have been briefed on the situation.
Mr Hoffman’s impending resignation follows weeks of unrest about the decision to allow the £305m purchase of Newcastle by a consortium spearheaded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
It comes at a sensitive time for English football, with a wide-ranging review overseen by the former sports minister, Tracey Crouch, expected to be published next week.” – Sky Sports
Premier League: Newcastle appoint ex-Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe after Saudi takeover
Hoffman’s departure will lead to yet more instability at the top of the Premier League, who only appointed him in June 2020 following a lengthy and bungled recruitment process to replace long-serving executive chairman Richard Scudamore.
Two candidates turned down the chief executive job and a third resigned before taking office before the eventual appointment of current incumbent Richard Masters, who then recruited Hoffman as chair.
Premier League: Premier League Chairman Gary Hoffman resigns following backlash from top clubs over Newcastle takeover
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