REVEALED: UEFA will NOT block Qatari investors from buying Manchester United… with takeover bid coming from a separate entity to Qatar Sports Investments group who already own Paris Saint-Germain
- Sportsmail revealed last week a Qatar-based consortium had launched a bid
- Qatar Sports Investments’ PSG ownership could have been a potential hurdle
- But United’s bid will come from a separate entity and will likely satisfy officials
UEFA will not block a Qatari ownership of Manchester United in a major boost for the bidding group from the oil-rich state.
Sportsmail revealed last week that a Qatar-based consortium had launched a bid for United, but faced a potential hurdle in UEFA rules which ban one owner controlling multiple teams in their competitions.
Qatar Sports Investments already own Paris Saint-Germain.
But the United bid will come from a separate entity, which is likely to satisfy officials. UEFA sources have disclosed that there is not going to be any problem with the Qatari bid, which is being worked on around the clock ahead of the Friday 10pm deadline imposed by investment bank Raine, who are overseeing the sale for United.
UEFA will not block a Qatari ownership of Manchester United in a major boost for the bidding group
There were concerns Qatar Sports Investments ownership of PSG could be a hurdle due to UEFA’s rules. Pictured: PSG president and QSI chairman Nasser Al Kelaifi
There are other factors at play as well as the separation of the two ownership groups. PSG president and Qatari national Nasser Al-Khelaifi is a close ally of UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. Ceferin was a guest of Al-Khelaifi at Tuesday night’s League clash between PSG and Bayern Munich in Paris.
Neither of those two clubs were among the European Super League rebels, something for which UEFA were grateful. With the threat of the breakaway league lingering, that relationship remains strong.
Al-Khelaifi is also chairman of the European Club Association and beIN Media Group, who own the rights to broadcast UEFA competitions in several countries across the world.
The UEFA rule against multi-club ownership states that ‘no individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition’.
This would not have been an issue this season in any case, as PSG are in the Champions League and United in the Europa League.
Meanwhile, FIFA are recruiting a new director focused on human rights as increased Middle Eastern involvement at the top of English football looms.
Sportsmail has learned that FIFA have started interviewing for a new position of director of human rights and sustainability and are close to making an appointment.
It is understood they are down to the final few candidates. The new recruit will work closely alongside Andreas Graf, head of human rights and anti-discrimination.
United’s owners Joel (L) and Avram (R) Glazer are seeking north of £6bn to sell the club
FIFA are recruiting a new director focused on human rights as increased Middle Eastern involvement at the top of English football looms
They will play a lead role within FIFA’s work on human rights and seek to repair the damage caused by the controversial decision to award Qatar the World Cup.
FIFA faced an intense backlash in the build-up to Qatar 2022 due to the host nation’s dreadful human rights record.
Thousands of migrant workers are alleged to have died while building the stadiums for the tournament and homosexuality is banned in the Islamic state.
On Tuesday, FIFA announced Saudi Arabia as the host of the Club World Cup in December.
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