UEFA told to BLOCK Manchester United’s sale to Qatari investors

With several names being touted as the next owners of Manchester United, UEFA have been urged to take one of those names off the table.

According to a new report from The Athletic, human rights advocacy group FairSquare have written to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, general secretary Theodore Theodoridis, and Premier League chief executive Richard Masters. FairSquare in their email urged UEFA to block any potential Qatar-led takeover bid of Manchester United.

FairSquare have highlighted how Qatar Sports Investments already own Paris Saint-Germain, and how any potential takeover of the club managed by Erik ten Hag from a Qatari-based group they believe would lead to a conflict of interests.

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Writing in their email, Fair Square said the following: “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.”

It is worth noting that UEFA regulations prohibit more than one club qualifying for their competitions if they are owned by the same entity. FairSquare are of the belief that any Qatari-based takeover of United would fail to abide by those regulations.

Those regulations clearly state that the owners/management team of one club entered in a UEFA competition can not, ‘be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating.’

With that in mind, the letter continued:

“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.”

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Whilst it is likely that UEFA will take FairSquare’s letter under advisement, it had been reported late last week that UEFA would be prepared to allow Qatari investors to buy Manchester United, and not relinquish their ownership of PSG.

As it has been heavily reported those in charge of the Qatari-led bid for ownership of Manchester United are only interested in a full takeover of the club, and with United’s ‘soft deadline‘ for opening bids set for tomorrow Friday, 17th of February, it is likely there will be further updates to this story in the near future.