Uefa urged to BLOCK Qatari takeover of Man Utd to ‘protect integrity of competition’ due to PSG ownership
UEFA have been urged to block the Qatari takeover bid for Manchester United.
Ahead of tomorrow’s bid deadline, Qatar are interested in taking over the Red Devils.
However, Uefa have been warned to block any bid from Qatar while Qatar Sports Investment remain owners of PSG.
The call comes from human rights group FairSquare.
As reported by The Athletic, the group have sent a letter to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, general secretary Theodore Theodoridis and Premier League chief Richard Masters.
It reads: “A basic study of Qatar’s political and economic system amply demonstrates the impossibility of any Qatari consortium proving itself independent of state influence, and thus separate from the ownership of PSG.
“Freedom House’s World Freedom Index classifies Qatar as ‘not free’, and its most recent assessment is highly critical of Qatar’s record on the rule of law, corruption, and political participation: ‘Qatar’s hereditary emir holds all executive and legislative authority and ultimately controls the judiciary.'”
Uefa rules stipulate that “no individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition”.
Although Red Bull’s ownership of FC Salzburg and RB Leipzig was overlooked by Uefa after an ownership restructuring at Salzburg – with both playing in the Champions League.
Earlier this week, it was reported Uefa would not block any Qatari offer for Man Utd due to them being satisfied about a bid coming from a separate entity.
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The United bid will be launched by Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
The Qatar Investment Authority is worth a staggering £370billion, and already owns French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain.
United’s owners – The Glazers – are understood to want £6bn for the club.
However, a more realistic outcome will see them pocket £4.1-£4.5bn.
In their letter FairSquare added “UEFA’s Statutes are very clear on the critical importance of ensuring that no single party can exercise control or influence over more than one club, and this is all the more important when the owners are states.
“State ownership of European football clubs jeopardises the integrity of the game, its proclaimed values and its sustainability.”
Qatar’s interest is being rivalled by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, while Twitter owner Elon Musk is also a shock party considering a bid.