Individuals found to have committed human rights abuses will be unable to be an owner or director of a Premier League club under new rules approved by the English top flight on Thursday.
Human rights abuses, based on the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020, will now be one of a number of additional 'Disqualifying Events' under a beefed-up owners' and directors' test (OADT).
The league also now has the power to block people from becoming directors where they are under investigation for conduct that would result in a 'disqualifying event' if proven.
The rule changes come amid growing pressure on the Premier League to probe Newcastle for an explanation over their majority shareholders, Saudi's Public Investment Fund, telling US legal authorities they are effectively an instrument of the country's state.