Asian tycoons backed Red Knights
The Red Knights consortium that tried to buy Manchester United had the backing of two Asian tycoons. They attracted support from Malaysian airline entrepreneur Tony Fernades and Singapore billionaire Peter Lim.
Article Taxonomy: Takeovers
Articles on football club takeovers and related issues
Charlton takeover completed
The takeover of Charlton Athletic has been completed. Michael Slater is the new chairman. A lawyer by training, he heads up two investment companies in Switzerland but is also chairman of one of the fastest growing companies in the UK, Reflex Vehicle Solutions. Tony Jiminez is an international property developer. He was a vice-president (player recruitment) at Newcastle United and when he left there was linked with a move to Spurs.
Done deal at Charlton by New Year’s Eve?
It was supposed to be completed by Christmas Eve but the takeover of Charlton Athletic could now be concluded in time for fans of the cash strapped South-East London club to raise a glass to the new owners on New Year’s Eve.
Battle of the Emirates in Manchester?
It could be the Battle of the Emirates in the city of Manchester if Qatar Holdings succeed in wresting control of Manchester United from the Glazers. Reports suggest that a negotiating team is about to fly to the United States.
What gives some credence to what are really rumours is that it is known that Qatar is interested in acquiring a Premier League team to legitimise winning the 2022 World Cup. And why not buy the best if you can afford it?
No Christmas takeover at Valley
A Christmas Eve deadline for the takeover at Charlton Athletic has been missed. But Addicks chairman Richard Murray said that a deal was close for him to relinquish control of the League One side.
Murray said: ‘We are currently finalising aspects of the proposed takeover. We expect to make a more substantive statement very soon.’
Race against time at The Valley
Yuletide logs may be burning low in the hearth before Charlton fans learn today whether a deal to take over the cash strapped League 1 club has been completed. A mystery consortium, rumoured to include Dennis Wise, has been bidding to acquire the club from Richard Murray who took over sole control earlier in the year.
The club has quite a complex set of properties, including a large training ground at New Eltham which was upgraded to Premier League standards. Sorting out interests in all these has been complex and the bad weather has not helped.
Usmanov pounces at Arsenal
There has been a period of relative stability and quiet in the battle for control of Arsenal. That is probably just as well for the club as, whatever players say to the contrary, these off pitch battles can have a negative effect.
Ecclestone in charge at Super Hoops
Bernie Ecclestone has taken a controlling 62 per cent stake in Queen’s Park Rangers. He has taken over most of the shares held by Flavio Briatore with whom he led a takeover of the Super Hoops in 2007. The Mittal family, steel billionaires from India, have a 20 per cent stake. Their representative, Amit Bhatia, is vice-chairman and actively involved on a day-to-day basis.
Hull City takeover completed
The completion of the takeover of Hull City by the Allams has been greeted with relief by Tigers fans. The club has been through a difficult and uncertain period and the delay was beginning to worry fans. However, the finances of football clubs are rarely straightforward, lengthening the process of due diligence.
What do new Blackburn owners want?
The sacking of Sam Allardyce has caused widespread shock, both in Blackburn where it has been criticised in an editorial by the local evening paper, and in football more generally. Allardyce’s personal style may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he should be judged primarily by results. He led them clear of relegation in the 2008-9 season before guiding them to an impressive tenth place last season.