Qatar in talks to buy a stake in Leeds
LONDON • Qatar held advanced discussions to buy a stake in storied English Championship football team Leeds United on Monday, according to two people with direct knowledge of the discussions.
The gas-rich Gulf state, which has gained an outsized influence in global football, stunned the sports world when it secured the rights to host the World Cup in 2022.
Since that vote in 2010, it has been among the most consequential footballing nations, buying and investing huge amounts to turn French champions Paris Saint-Germain into a powerhouse team, and also becoming the one of the biggest acquirers of football rights through its beIN Sports network.
The move for Leeds, who missed out on a return to the Premier League after losing their play-off semi-final to Derby last month, would be Qatar's first foray into English football, and most likely will lead to further scrutiny into its affairs at home and abroad.
Human rights groups have drawn attention to the treatment of workers building their World Cup stadiums, while there have been allegations of wrongdoing over the way in which Qatar persuaded Fifa members during the bidding process for the showpiece event.
The talks with Leeds, who were relegated from the top flight in 2004 and have languished in the wilderness since, are at an advanced stage.
They stem from a personal relationship between the club's majority owner, Andrea Radrizzani, and Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the businessman who fronts state-backed Qatar Sports Investments.
A close friend of Qatar Emir Tamim Hamad Al-Thani, he is also the president of PSG and chairman of beIN Sports.
The initial talks with Qatar involve a stake sale, though there could be a provision for a full buyout later on, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.
An investment in Leeds would be Qatar's third in European football teams - as well as PSG, they own Belgian side Eupen.
NYTIMES
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to footballer Sala I didn't come to pay my respects to a footballer; I came to pay my respects to an exceptional man, a real warrior," said
Watch: Argentine village of Progresso to pay tribute to
South Korea's victorious under-18 team were stripped of the Panda Cup on Thursday after they infuriated hosts China with their celebrations. The Koreans had already apologised to "all the people
China strips South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent
Football: Home United engage youth in MacPherson through photography and sport SINGAPORE - Singapore Premier League club Home United organised a photography exhibition at the MacPherson Community Club (CC) on Saturday (Dec 29), in what was a culmination of a community outreach programme aimed at youth living in MacPherson.
Latest HOME UNITED | The Straits Times
Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne will stand trial for sexual assault in October after allegedly kissing a woman without consent on a train, a judge ruled on Tuesday. The 51-year-old ex
Ex-football star faces assault trial - gulf-times.com
Define rub. rub synonyms, rub pronunciation, rub translation, English dictionary definition of rub. v. rubbed , rub·bing , rubs v. tr. 1. (of a bowl) to be
Man City 1-0 West Ham: Sergio Aguero penalty, Man City one point behind leaders Liverpool Sergio Aguero's penalty gave champions Manchester City a slender win over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium
Crystal Palace put three goals past defending champions Manchester City, including a stunning volley by Andros Townsend, to win 3-2 on Sunday (NZ time) in the biggest upset of the English Premier
Arsenal 2-3 Crystal Palace: Gunners suffer SHOCK defeat to
Abu Dhabi - Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup. But the Portuguese, who
Reports: Carlos Queiroz steps down as Iran manager after AFC
And according to Spanish news outlet Don Balon, who often make bold claims, Messi has told Valverde to alter his starting line-up. They sensationally say the Argentina talisman wants Valverde to drop Gomes for tomorrow night's clash at the Nou Camp. Gomes, 24, has struggled to impress at the Nou Camp following his move to Barca in 2016.
Coutinho set for Barca axe | ClubCall.com
Objectives Raheem Sterling has scored in his final three video games for England. He had not managed a single aim in his earlier 27 appearances. "Raheem was brilliant, electric all night," Southgate mentioned. "He is in a very assured second, not solely on the sphere however off the sphere he is so mature and cozy in himself.
'Electric' Sterling has boss purring - theworldnews.net
Wolves reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1998, beating United 2-1 Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis by beating last year's runners-up
Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis
Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial both injured in Manchester United's Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain Man Utd's Martial, Lingard to miss Chelsea, Liverpool matches : The Standard
Football: Man United's Martial, Lingard to miss Chelsea
Lucas Moura, from PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol AFP May 8, 2019, 11:03 PM UTC "Super-hero": Lucas stole the show as Tottenham pulled off a miraculous comeback to beat Ajax
Lucas Moura: From PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol - Daily Nation
Langganan:
Posting Komentar (Atom)
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar