Premier League owners are concerned that the division's biggest club, Manchester United, could become another major team viewed as state-controlled.
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani remains one of the frontrunners to buy United from the Glazer family, having lodged five separate bids for 100 percent of the club. Although Sheikh Jassim's representatives deny that his prospective ownership has direct links to the state of Qatar, the involvement of Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has raised the level of concern.
As reported by The Athletic, the PSG boss has been in direct dialogue with the Glazers to assist with compatriot Sheikh Jassim's pursuit of United, who've been on the market since last November. Al-Khelaifi is also in charge of Qatar Sports Investments which is a subsidiary of the country's sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority.
