Amnesty International has called for the Premier League to overhaul its “hopelessly unsuited” owners’ and directors’ test.
The human rights group has written to the league’s chief executive Richard Masters and put forward a proposed updated test.
It comes after a Saudi-led takeover offer for Newcastle was withdrawn, with the Middle East country’s public investment fund having been set to take an 80 per cent stake in the Premier League club under the terms of the deal.
“At present, anyone wishing to sportswash their reputation by buying into English football can do so knowing that even their involvement in war crimes or torture wouldn’t stop them.
“The owners’ and directors’ test simply hasn’t kept up with modern trends in international football ownership, not least with foreign powers buying their way into the game.
“Football can be a real force for good, as the excellent Football Welcomes project has demonstrated, but top-flight football needs to sort out this thorny issue of ownership.”
The Premier League has been contacted by the PA news agency for a comment.