LONDON: The Premier League is planning a tighter new owners’ charter to try to prevent clubs stepping out into a breakaway international competition.

This has come as a direct reaction to the attempt last month by Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham to join the Super League.

All owners will have to sign up to the new rule “committing them to the core principles” of the league with breaches punished by “significant” sanctions.

A Premier League statement said: “The actions of a few clubs cannot be allowed to create such division and disruption. We are determined to establish the truth of what happened and hold those clubs accountable for their decisions and actions.”

The Football Association said an inquiry into the six clubs has started.

It added: “We wrote to all of the clubs to formally request all relevant information and evidence regarding their participation. Once we have the required information, we will consider what appropriate steps to take.

“The events of the last two weeks have challenged the foundations and resolve of English football. These measures are designed to stop the threat of breakaway leagues in the future.”

The Super League proposal, which also included some of Europe’s biggest clubs, collapsed within 72 hours after widespread criticism from fans, players and governing bodies and politicians.

There have been various calls for sanctions against the clubs, including points deductions, relegation and bans from European competitions.

The executives at the six clubs involved in the collapsed breakaway have been forced to resign from advisory roles at the Premier League.

Most of the clubs apologised and Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward announced his pending resignation.

In its statement the Premier League said it would also introduce “additional rules and regulation to ensure the principles of the Premier League and open competition are protected”.

Both the FA and the English top-flight said they were seeking government help with legislation to protect “the integrity of the football community”.

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