Is Qatar Ready to Own Manchester United?
Could Qatar-based investors realistically acquire Manchester United football club?
Intriguing news around Manchester United's potential new owners is heating up the football world! According to the Daily Mail, a group of Qatari investors is gearing up to make an offer for the Red Devils. But, there are substantial hurdles to a sale, including UEFA's ownership policies.
Will the Qataris Own the Red Devils?
Amidst the buzz, The Guardian confirmed that the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, has shown interest in purchasing the club. However, he is reportedly content with an estimated £4.5 billion valuation of the club, which is significantly lower than the £6 billion the Glazer family has supposedly sought for years.
How Possible is the Bid's Success?
The success of the bid hinges on whether there's a single Qatari bid or two. While there's no official confirmation about the existence of multiple bids, Qatar's intention to explore investment opportunities in football beyond Paris Saint-Germain and SC Braga has been confirmed [1]. The United Kingdom, in particular, is of interest, but whether United is the right club and a full takeover the optimal deal remains uncertain.
Who else Wants to Own Manchester United?
With the Glazers setting a self-imposed deadline of mid-February for preliminary deals, only one bid has been publicly disclosed as of now. Ineos, the petrochemical and fracking giant owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, revealed last month that they had expressed interest in joining the bidding process [1]. Rumors of interest from American investment groups also circulate, with Sixth Street reportedly considering a minority stake in the club [2].
Are There UEFA Issues?
If the Qataris seal the deal and acquire United, questions will inevitably arise about compliance with UEFA's ownership policies. A significant concern revolves around ensuring the ownership of United and Paris Saint-Germain are distinct enough to avoid any potential sports collusion in the event both teams face each other in European competitions. According to UEFA regulations, no individual or entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition [3].
Can the Problem be Resolved?
Currently, Qatar Sports Investment (QSI), which owns PSG, would not be able to purchase more than a minority stake in United due to ownership limits. However, another Qatari-funded entity, such as the Qatar National Bank, could potentially make a bid, and the same limitations might not apply [3]. These factors would pose considerable challenges for UEFA and its Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) to consider.
Is a Qatari Takeover on the Cards?
While the future of Manchester United's ownership remains uncertain, one thing is clear—the path to a Qatari takeover is fraught with financial, ownership, and regulatory challenges. Any successful takeover will require not just substantial financial resources, but also agreement on price, the satisfaction of UEFA's stringent ownership regulations, and the consideration of structural and managerial demands [1][2][3][4].
Update:
Last updated: 09 February 2023
[1] The Athletic. (2023). Qatar keen to seize control of Man Utd, but face stiff hurdles in funding and ownership battles. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://theathletic.com/3395256/2023/02/09/manchester-united-qatar-sheikh-jasim-takeover/
[2] BBC Sport. (2023). Sir Jim Ratcliffe reveals his interest in Manchester United takeover bid. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64036026
[3] UEFA. (2019). Ownership and Control. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/disciplinary/disciplinary-regulations/ukr5537843.html
[4] BBC Sport. (2021). Red Bull takeover of Salzburg and Leipzig approved by UEFA. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56435082
- The Qatari investors' bid to purchase Manchester United could face challenges from UEFA's ownership policies, as the potential ownership of United and Paris Saint-Germain by the same group might lead to sports collusion concerns.
- Alongside the Qatari group, Ineos, a petrochemical and fracking giant, announced their interest in the Manchester United bidding process.
- Should a Qatari-funded entity, such as the Qatar National Bank, choose to make an offer for United, their bid might not be subject to the same ownership limits as Qatar Sports Investment, the group currently owning Paris Saint-Germain.
