The Premier League is launching a direct-to-customer streaming platform from next season, chief executive Richard Masters said.

Leaders of top European soccer leagues say have no plans to take games to the United States.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters commented publicly about the aborted takeover for the first time in a letter to a British lawmaker, a copy of which was published on Twitter on Friday. Later, it (or PIF specifically) voluntarily withdrew from the process, Masters added, referring to the Saudis Public Investment Fund. Masters also dismissed suggestions that rival Premier League clubs vetoed the deal. The owners and directors test is delegated to and carried out entirely by the Premier League Board, he said. The Premier League faced calls to block the takeover by Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of murdered journalist and Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi.

(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)MANCHESTER A Premier League shutdown that began with the British government trying to shame stars over their wealth ended with admiration for a player's determination to ensure children won't starve. Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford received an unprecedented outpouring of congratulatory messages ahead of Wednesday's resumption of the world's most followed soccer league. It was at the same podium three months ago, early in the coronavirus pandemic, that the government tried to shame stars of the worlds richest league. I think well look back on the last three months with some pride at the way football as an industry has responded to some of the challenge, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said. And alongside fellow players, Sterling launched a #TimeForChange campaign video that ended with him saying: I will never tire of being black.The league is more reticent to say how it can create a more inclusive environment.