In Premier League guidelines strengthened in March, being convicted of corruption would disqualify somebody from proudly owning or controlling a membership.
But Tottenham insist Joe Lewis ought to not be described as their proprietor whereas combating prices within the US.
A change quietly made final 12 months noticed Lewis formally stop to be somebody with “significant control” of the membership. There was no public tribute from the membership or celebration of their proprietor since 2001.
He held greater than 70% of the shares in ENIC – the corporate finally proudly owning Tottenham.
But in October 2022, Tottenham up to date the corporate register to say: “A discretionary trust of which certain members of Mr J Lewis’s family are potential beneficiaries ultimately owns 70.12% of the share capital of ENIC.”
On paper, Lewis stepping apart seemed to be succession planning by the north London membership. It is known the belief is managed by two unbiased trustees on behalf of Lewis’s household.
The household hyperlink clearly stays even when the 86-year-old patriarch not has official management and the membership has not knowingly sought to right references in latest months to him being the proprietor.
Was that to keep away from shifting the highlight on different members of the Lewis household?
It is Daniel Levy most visually related to working Tottenham because the Premier League’s longest-serving chairman.
But he solely owns slightly below 30% of ENIC with members of the family by trusts.
The insider buying and selling prices dealing with Mr Lewis come at a time of turmoil for Tottenham.
There is uncertainty over the way forward for prime taking part in asset Harry Kane – with the striker in a position to depart totally free subsequent 12 months when his contract expires until the lifelong Tottenham participant is offered this summer time.
His frustrations with the membership mirror these of the followers over the dearth of silverware.
Just one trophy has been received underneath the ENIC possession and that was lengthy earlier than Kane was taking part in – the lesser achievement of the League Cup in 2008.
Spurs are in a downward spiral and lacking out on income.
They didn’t qualify for any European competitors for the primary time since 2009 – simply 4 years after the sudden excessive of reaching the Champions League remaining.
There is just not solely greater than £600m of debt to service after shifting into a brand new stadium in 2019.
Clubs with Gulf state funding have overtaken them – most lately with Saudi-owned Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League.
Qatari state-linked traders from Paris Saint-Germain had been pursuing shopping for into Tottenham final 12 months.
But Tottenham have given no public indication they’re on the market.
And of Lewis being indicted, they are saying: “This is a legal matter unconnected with the club.”
Source: information.sky.com”