http://www.local10.com/Cash-for-cups-Qatar-s-sporting-influence-spreads-across-the-globe/-/1717430/9143106/-/111tlf8/-/
Although Qatari businessmen now have a strong foothold in French and Spanish football, they remain without a key base in the English Premier League, which boasts the highest attendance figures in European football.
However, according to Montague, that situation might change in the near future, with a massive English institution firmly on Qatar's radar. And there is a near precedent following the 2008 takeover of Manchester City by an Abu Dhabi consortium.
"The Qatari Investment Authority have been sniffing around Manchester United for a long time," Montague said.
"I have had conversations in Qatar with prominent people and they have told me that United would fit their profile of wanting to use sport in general, and football in particular, to raise their profile to that of a world power.
"The Glazer family, who currently own United, will sell because they will get a better price from the Qataris. It isn't just a numbers or profit thing with the QIA, they want the institution that United stand for."
It remains to be seen whether United, or indeed any other many English club, comes under Qatari ownership in the near future but, with a World Cup and possible Olympic Games both on the horizon, the tiny gulf state is only going to grow in sporting stature and importance over the next decade.
I really hope there is some truth to this.
posted on 28/2/12
No thank you! I would rather prefer being buried in debt and always on the decline, and still prove the doubters wrong each season, than be an expensive toy ready to be crippled once the owners have had their fun!
posted on 28/2/12
Sorry to be a damp squid
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Sorry to be the language police..... but that is one of the funniest misuses of a phrase i've ever seen.
posted on 28/2/12
damp squid , lol that is funny and i didnt even notice when i first read it
this article was published today but i dont know if it was just a slow news day in the Gulf.
posted on 28/2/12
I don't see how any club other than united fit the bill. If you want to get noticed you buy the biggest name in the game
posted on 28/2/12
Although Qatari businessmen now have a strong foothold in French and Spanish football, they remain without a key base in the English Premier League, which boasts the highest attendance figures in European football.
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Soon as I read that 1st paragraph.I knew this was lazy journalism at its best. Even I know that Germany has the best European attendance figures. This story has been floating about for around 2 years
posted on 28/2/12
comment by Arab of Manchester - Kim Kardashian's lov... (U11781)
posted 4 hours, 35 minutes ago
I'd only want them if they didn't interfere with club matters, and
provided the cash for transfers when needed. As long as they clear the
debt and do what I stated, I wouldn't mind welcoming them aboard the
United ship.
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Why is there a requirement for the billionaire owners of man u to listen to some sad bloke who wastes his time posting on an internet message board?
posted on 28/2/12
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/2/12
comment by giggsy-no11-fan (U2534)
posted 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
Although Qatari businessmen now have a strong foothold in French and Spanish football, they remain without a key base in the English Premier League, which boasts the highest attendance figures in European football.
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Soon as I read that 1st paragraph.I knew this was lazy journalism at its best. Even I know that Germany has the best European attendance figures. This story has been floating about for around 2 years
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I thought The PL had the highest overall attendances in Europe. I actually also thought the Championship came in third too
Could be wrong though
posted on 28/2/12
I think we are pretty much bored of you pretending to be a United fan Mancees
Your tiresome deliberate use of Man U coupled with your pathetic deliberate armchair fan act has become probably the most boring tedious aspect of JA606
Time you was banned once and for all from our board as you offer absolutley nothing apart from this juvenile persona you continue to patronise everyone, including the site admins, with.
Do us all a favour and go find another board to condescend
posted on 28/2/12
Manyoo Mancees, the Qataris already have a multi million Euro deal with Barcelona, do you live under a rock or something ?