The Premier League has tightened its ownership rules to block anyone found to have committed human rights abuses from running a club.
Human rights abuses, as determined by the UK’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations, is a new “disqualifying event” in the English top-flight’s owners’ and directors’ test.
Individuals subject to UK government sanctions will also be banned.
The changes to the test will be applied immediately.
The Premier League has also amended the list of criminal offences which would result in disqualification, including those which involve violence, corruption, fraud, tax evasion and hate crimes.
It also has new power to stop those wishing to become a director of a club if they are under investigation for conduct that would result in a disqualifying event if it is proven.
Premier League clubs are also set to agree on a ban on gambling companies advertising on their shirts.