Derby County: Independent football regulator faces ‘defining test’ over potential Rams investment

English football’s independent regulator faces a “defining test” as Saudi Arabian government official Turki Al-Sheikh tries to invest in Derby County, Amnesty International said.

Al-Sheikh, who previously owned football clubs in Spain and Egypt and is now among the most powerful figures in world boxing, is looking to buy a stake in the Championship side.

As chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority – and a prominent figure in the inner circle of the country’s de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman – the 44-year-old al-Sheikh has been criticized by rights groups for his role in Saudi Arabia’s alleged ‘sports washing’.

Saudi Arabia has been accused of using sports and culture to boost its reputation and distract from the country’s poor human rights record, treatment of women, use of the death penalty and its anti-LGBT stance.

Al-Sheikh will need approval from the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) – a body formed only last year to protect the future and integrity of the game.

The IFR has established a new Owner, Director and Senior Executive Examination, Taking over responsibilities previously held by the English Football League during new investment in Championship teams.

Both organisations, as well as Derby County, declined to comment on Al-Sheikh’s interest in the Championship when contacted by the BBC, as did Al-Sheikh’s representatives.

“This is a defining test for English football’s new independent regulator,” said Felix Jakens, head of campaigns for human rights group Amnesty International UK.

“Would this allow a senior representative of a government directly involved in human rights abuses to take control of one of the country’s oldest football clubs? The regulator must ask these questions and answer them transparently.”

With Premier League side Newcastle United already owned by Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund, Amnesty International said any stake bought by Al-Sheikh would “mark a significant expansion of Saudi Arabia’s footprint in English football”.

Amnesty says Saudi Arabia executed 356 people last year – A new record that has been condemned by human rights groups.

“The serious questions about Saudi involvement in sports anywhere in the world are relevant here,” Jakens said.

“Al-Sheikh is not a private businessman, he is the chairman of Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority., outsider“