Premier League Chairman, Gary Hoffman, has confirmed he will step down at the end of January 2022, according to a report from Sky Sports News. 

It comes following the widespread backlash over the takeover of Newcastle United from a Saudi Consortium, which has been met with criticism from chiefs at Premier League clubs. 

Hoffman only took the role 18 months ago, off the back of an extensive recruitment process. 

Furthermore, his departure comes as the governance of English football is reviewed by ex Sports Minister Tracey Crouch, as the way English football ownership is regulated has been scrutinised following attempts to form a breakaway league last season. 

Further affirming the discontent caused by the takeover, Premier League clubs also recently voted against Newcastle United through legislation designed to prevent the club’s new Saudi Arabian owners from striking lucrative sponsorship deals.

Sources suggest that Newcastle made it clear at the emergency meeting of all 20 clubs that they considered the rule change, which will temporarily ban commercial arrangements that involve pre-existing business relationships, to be anti-competitive.

The team was represented by Lee Charnley, the incumbent Managing Director who, the Guardian states, ‘is understood to have made it clear that his club had legal advice to say that the amendment was unlawful’.