One of the figures at the forefront of Morecambe’s summer takeover and continued running has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom government, which suspects him of belonging to terrorist organisations in India.
Gurpreet Singh Rehal, referred to as the director of marketing and communications of Morecambe’s owner, Panjab Warriors, is believed by the UK government to be involved in terrorist activities that range from recruitment to financial support and weapons purchasing for the Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar groups.
A statement released by HM Treasury on Thursday morning revealed that Singh’s UK assets had been frozen and that he had been disqualified as a director, which means he is banned from taking part in management at UK companies.
Following the publication of this story, Morecambe and Panjab Warriors released a joint statement saying: “An individual who previously held a consultancy role in marketing and communications with our organisations is no longer affiliated with either Morecambe FC or Panjab Warriors.”
Singh is not listed as a director or person of significant control (PSC) at either Panjab Warriors or Morecambe on Companies House and his role does not feature on Morecambe’s website.
Yet when Panjab Warriors completed their takeover in August, breathing life into a financially distressed club that started its National League campaign late, Singh featured as the sole representative of the ownership group in the photograph that appeared on the club’s website. Other Panjab Warriors members, such as Kuljeet Singh Momi, Ropinder Singh and Harjit Singh, are listed as part of Morecambe’s board of directors and football administration on their website.
The Treasury was asked by The Athletic whether the sanctions affect Morecambe but it declined to comment.
Singh’s company, Saving Punjab, where he acts as the chief executive officer, according to his LinkedIn page, as well as Whitehawk Consultations, are on the banned list, according to the government’s release.
The Treasury described the move as a “landmark action,” having triggered the Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime for the first time since its powers became active in 2019.
Panjab Warriors, Morecambe FC, the English Football Association and the National League were all approached by The Athletic for comment.
A spokesperson from the UK’s independent football regulator (IFR) said: “We are working with relevant authorities and using our statutory information gathering powers to look into this matter urgently.”
The IFR was created this year to “protect and promote the sustainability of English football” and it had a bill fast-tracked in August by the Labour Party to ensure owners could be stripped of their right to run clubs.
The IFR, however, was not operational when the deal to buy Morecambe was signed off by the English Football League (EFL), which did not have to examine any application involving Singh because he was not listed as a director or a shareholder.
Only on Tuesday, Singh reported on his LinkedIn page that he was on Morecambe duty, having met with Phil Alexander, the CEO of the National League. “The last time we spoke was during a very turbulent period in the takeover process, so it was great to reconnect in calmer circumstances,” Singh wrote.
Singh suggested that he and Alexander discussed a campaign to increase the number of promoted clubs into League Two. “It’s an important step for fairness, competitiveness, and the long-term health of the football pyramid,” he added.
Singh also published a photograph, which included Alexander and the local Labour MP, Lizzi Collinge, wearing a Morecambe scarf.
Late last month, Singh appeared in parliament on behalf of Panjab Warriors, where he received an award from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which recognised the group’s impact on the Sikh and Panjabi community. A statement released by Panjab Warriors described a “historic moment”.
“Panjab Warriors will continue to open doors, break ceilings, and create pathways for the next generation,” Singh wrote on his LinkedIn page.