Phil Hay shares if Leeds United will get punished or fined amid fresh takeover twist
Phil Hay believes that Leeds United are unlikely to be fined or punished by the EFL amid a recent rule change surrounding takeovers.
The rule now states that clubs cannot announce the change of ownership, even in principle, until and unless the EFL does not green-light it.
While the Athletic journalist remains optimistic about Leeds not being reprimanded, he does believe that they still could do something.
Speaking on the Square Ball, he said at 18:51, “One of the rules that got introduced this summer and I don’t think Leeds will fall foul of this.
“I don’t think Leeds will get punished or fined for it because of the timeframe.”
In response to the host pointing out that the meeting happened a day prior to the announcement, Hay said, “They might do (find a way to fine Leeds).”
He continued, “The rule now says that you cannot sell a club to another individual without EFL approval. Now it says that you cannot announce the sale of a club to another individual or party until it is formally approved by the EFL.
“Which means you’re not allowed to say ‘This deal has been struck in principle, subject to EFL approval’.”
Unnecessary delays
These rules cause unnecessary delays and the approval still hasn’t arrived even though Daniel Farke is already announced as the Whites manager.
Had the rule been in place before, Leeds would still be stuck in a place they were a month ago and things would not have progressed in the manner they have.
Farke perhaps would not be able to take training and that would’ve been disastrous with pre-season already started and the first game of the season only three weeks away.
Hay seems positive that they will not be fined but it remains to be seen what happens as the EFL have not even approved it yet.
This should not stop the recruitment process as it’s about time they bring in new first-team players for the new manager.
Currently, he’s not working with any new signings and some of the players he’s working with may not even be there next season.
In other Leeds United news, the club have been handed a boost to sign a Manchester United player this summer with Erik ten Hag likely to sanction his exit.