Arab buyer for PL club - report

Arab buyer for PL club - report
WAM report claims takeover is pending at unnamed club

Last updated: 21st June 2009

An unnamed English Premier League club has been bought by a member of the ruling family in the United Arab Emirates, according to the WAM news agency.

The report, released on Sunday, claims Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Customs and Seaports, has acquired a 60 per cent stake in a Premier League club.

It has also been reported Sheikh Ahmed will be made the honorary chairman of the club, once the takeover is complete.

If the deal does go through the unnamed club will become the second top flight outfit to be Middle East owned, following on from Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mansour's takeover at Manchester City.

Portsmouth are also in the process of being taken over by another Abu Dhabi investor, with Sulaiman al-Fahim bidding to take charge at Fratton Park.

The WAM report states that more details of any potential deal are to be released at a press conference in the next few days.
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If only it were us.

Who do we reckon it is then?

Wouldn't surprise me if it was Birmingham. Huge city, big fan base (when in the top flight) and Sullivan and Gold have been wanting to sell for years.

Got a feeling it's Sunderland for some reason.

If it were us, I'm sure the Echo would've heard about it?

Got a feeling it's Sunderland for some reason.

If it were us, I'm sure the Echo would've heard about it?

Haven't Sunderland just been taken over be a yank mate but Quinn is staying on as chairman like?

Haven't Sunderland just been taken over be a yank mate but Quinn is staying on as chairman like?

Oh aye yeah! Birmingham is a good shout.

Off topic - I'd love a Mod revival too mate.

Off topic - I'd love a Mod revival too mate.

That's a much better topic to discuss anyway

That's a much better topic to discuss anyway

It is! Getting meself a new pair of desert boots soon.

Back on topic before I get slapped... Aston Vanilla a possibility?

Plenty of rumours on other sites that it's either the Blueshite or Pompy.

Plenty of rumours on other sites that it's either the Blueshite or Pompy.

Oh FFS!

Oh FFS!

And apparently it's only 60% of the club being bought.

That should rule out Everton.

And apparently it's only 60% of the club being bought.

That should rule out Everton.

Thats what just popped into my head.

Most likely a club that has more than one shareholder.

Thats what just popped into my head.

Most likely a club that has more than one shareholder.

And more than one trophy in the 21st centuary which rules Everton out no ends

Certainly not us, who in their right minds would leave the gobsh*tes with a 40% stake in the club?What about the barcodes?

Certainly not us, who in their right minds would leave the gobsh*tes with a 40% stake in the club?What about the barcodes?

Not a Prem club anymore mate. (oh F**k how good is it saying that, it's so good it deserves another mention)

Newcastle United Football Club are no longer a Premiership club. It's just great, so one more time for the road...they're not a Premiership club anymore

Not a Prem club anymore mate. (oh f**k how good is it saying that, it's so good it deserves another mention)

Newcastle United Football Club are no longer a Premiership club. It's just great, so one more time for the road...they're not a Premiership club anymore

Isn't it great! Newcastle United play their football in the Championship. The Championship, formally Division 1, is where Newcastle will be battling it out to stave off relegation to League One this season.

Isn't it great! Newcastle United play their football in the Championship. The Championship, formally Division 1, is where Newcastle will be battling it out to stave off relegation to League One this season.

It's quality. At least in the 2010/11 season they'll be able to go for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. A trophy they could possibly win.

It's quality. At least in the 2010/11 season they'll be able to go for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. A trophy they could possibly win.

Isn't it great! Newcastle United play their football in the Championship. The Championship, formally Division 1, is where Newcastle will be battling it out to stave off relegation to League One this season.

A bit harse guys, but on the sh*te scale were do you put them as opposed to the chavs,bitters and all the other wannabees.

Hmm my money would be on Fulham. Dont know why but they seem like a good investment after the massive improvement they made last season.

Hoping its us, the yanks are struggling for money now aint they so much so that they have to sell up their ice hockey company or whatever that is.

But reasonably speaking no one knows who is it and there are 20 clubs so we have a 5% chance, considering the yanks have been wanting out for sometime..

DLS, whats a Mod revival?

I hope it's us, but no one seems to know in the media.  Hasn't Moores just stepped down as Chairman!

I hope it's us, but no one seems to know in the media.  Hasn't Moores just stepped down as Chairman!

Just realised the report comes from the scum newspaper, so it's probably paper filling bollocks!

Doesn't look to be Pompey.

Middle East money for top club

Sheikh Al-Qassimi buys 60 per cent stake in English side

A member of a ruling family in the United Arab Emirates has purchased a 60 per cent stake in a top English club.

The identity of the side in question has yet to be revealed, but Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr al-Qassimi has become the majority shareholder of the team concerned.

Full details of the deal are set to be announced in the next few days.

Reports had suggested that Portsmouth were the team at the centre of the investment, with Abu Dhabi billionaire Sulaiman al-Fahim currently in the process of completing a takeover of the South Coast club.

However, the Middle Eastern magnate has distanced Pompey from the deal.

"There is no link," he said.

Al-Fahim also confirmed that his purchase of Portsmouth is progressing as planned and stated that he remains hopeful that the formalities will be completed sometime in July.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5395106,00.html