It is no surprise that Qatar’s Emir has entered the race to buy Manchester United. Qatari interest in European club football has been limited to Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the vast sums of money thrown into the club over the years and the eight Ligue Un titles delivered since they bought the club in 2011. They have yet to deliver the trophy that all billionaires in town covet the most – the Champions League.
Manchester United, at least, has a track record of success in this competition, albeit not particularly recent. But there is one obvious impediment to the Qataris taking over an English club. Qataris begin PR battle for Manchester United hearts is news of the day.
Qataris begin PR battle for Manchester United hearts
UEFA has rules to prevent clubs with the same owners from competing against each other in their competitions. It means that a Qatar-owned Manchester United and a Qatar-owned PSG would not be allowed to compete in a Champions League match. It against each other if such a fixture were to occur.
For the record, United and PSG have met twice in European competition, once in the 2018/19 round of 16 (which United won on away goals). Once in the group stage two seasons later (which both teams won on away goals).
It’s tempting to dismiss such ideas as futile that diving headfirst into a bureaucracy like UEFA would be a waste of time. But keep in mind that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the chairman of Qatar Sports Investments. is also the head of the European Club Association. It means he has a seat on the executive committee of, well, UEFA.
As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also a member of the Club World Cup organizing committee and the chairman of Bein Sports. He has Champions League TV rights in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa). He’s also been described as the Emir of Qatar’s “childhood friend.” He sits on the board of the Qatar Investment Authority, which oversees Qatar Sports Investments. Also, any organization that buys into Manchester United.
