02 March 2023 , 13:25
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The father of would-be Manchester United owner Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani insisted his son's bid for the club should simply be treated as an investment opportunity.
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former prime minister of Qatar, dismissed suggestions the debt-free takeover would be used as an "advertisement" for his country. Sheikh Jassim is the chairman of one of Qatar's largest banks and is the face of a bid for a full takeover at Old Trafford submitted last month.
Amnesty International has raised concerns that Qatari tycoons with intrinsic links to the country's rulers buying United would represent a concerning case of sportswashing. However, Sheikh Hamad, who it's believed is bankrolling his son's bid - has little interest in using the Red Devils as a means to enhance Qatar's reputation... or even owning the club at all.
Speaking shortly before the deadline set by the Glazer family for initial bids to be tabled, the former prime minister discussed his sons' desire to buy United, which far outweighs his own. Sheikh Hamad voiced his apprehension over a potential multi-billion pound takeover, when asked about Qatari interest in the club.
"I am not a football fan," Sheikh Hamad said on Bloomberg's The David Rubenstein Show, recorded on February 14. "I don't like this investment. Maybe it will work well. But you know, some of my sons like this, they always discuss it with me. They're pushing hard. This is not my speciality.
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"Let me put it like this: I am an investor. If it will one day be a good investment, I will think about it. If not, I will not look at it as something you do just as an advertisement."
Nevertheless, within days of these comments, a move not by the Qatari state, but by his son, was publicly announced, and has led to questions over the former Prime Minister's level of involvement
Are you concerned by Sheikh Hamad's comments? Have your say in the comments...
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani was not keen to bid for Manchester United (Bloomberg)
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani speaks to Bloomberg's David Rubenstein (Bloomberg)While Sheikh Hamad is "not a football fan", his son is an avid Red Devils supporter and set out an ambitious set of plans for the club.
"The bid plans to return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and - above all - will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more," his statement read.
"The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim's Nine Two Foundation, which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and wider infrastructure, the fan experience and the communities the club supports."
Sheikh Jassim's main rival in the takeover race is British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is also a United fan and submitted a bid ahead of the deadline.
However, it is by no means a foregone conclusion that Avram and Joel Glazer will sell up, as they could pursue a other investment opportunities if their asking price is not met.