Why did Premier League teams veto the loan signing ban?

Loaning players from club to club was once a practice that seemed more for the development of young players at smaller clubs. But it became the hottest subject as a row erupted between Premier League rivals clubs.

Traditionally, it gave a big club the chance to farm younger talent out to get experience, while a smaller club had the benefit of playing a new and exciting talent that was a little rough around the edges.

In recent years, the loan system has seen big name players that are out of form or not in favour at a club heading for pastures new. Usually accompanied by a clause in their loan deal that saw their new club given the chance to sign them, it gave the player extra incentive to play well in the hopes of forcing through a move.

Recently though, the idea of loaning a player has been touted as a way of getting around financial regulation, thus helping some clubs to bring in big names without having to pay their price tag. It prompted a vote on whether the rule – or loophole – should be blocked.

Each of the 20 current Premier League clubs met in November to vote on the issue of stopping clubs that fall under the same ownership from loaning players between them.

While the likes of Chelsea (affiliated with Strasbourg), Arsenal (Colorado Rapids), West Ham (Sparta Prague) are examples of teams that could benefit from loaning players, the one club that many have been looking at is Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.

Newcastle United are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), who also own Saudi Pro League sides Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli.

The mega-money Premier League club have already seen a real injection of funds with new players aplenty joining and helping the Magpies take a Champions League spot after finishing in the top-four last year.

However, with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, preventing Newcastle from opening the chequebook, the Magpies could loan from their affiliate clubs, meaning the FFP rules would not apply.

Newcastle are currently contending with a lengthy injury list while midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 months due to gambling breaches. All of this has left Howe’s squad stretched and it was no surprise that the Magpies voted against the loan ban being introduced.

Along with Sheffield United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton, Wolves and Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and co managed to veto the ban by meeting the Premier League’s 13/7 threashold.

The fact the ban failed means that any number of Premier League sides can still use their connections, which is positive for the likes of Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester City and more.

Expect an influx of loan signings, most notably Ruben Neves returning to the Premier League to join Newcastle, in January with betting analysts AussieBets reporting that it is short-priced odds the Portuguese star will move from Saudi Arabia.

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