カタール投資家、マンＵ買収から撤退

【マンチェスターＡＦＰ＝時事】サッカーイングランド・プレミアリーグのマンチェスター・ユナイテッド買収をめぐって、カタールの銀行家シェイク・ジャシム・ビン・ハマド・アル・サーニ氏が入札を取り下げたと、取引に近い筋が１４日に明かした。（写真は資料写真）
　ユナイテッドは１年近く前に「クラブの成長を強化するための戦略的な選択肢」を探っていると明かし、クラブの完全な売却も考えていると発表。シェイク・ジャシム氏と英実業家のジム・ラトクリフ氏が買収レースをリードしていたが、ここ数か月は話が停滞していた。
　シェイク・ジャシム氏はクラブの負債を完済することを約束し、完全買収を求めていたが、提示額を５０億ポンド（約９０６０億円）に引き上げたとみられる中で、先週行われた交渉は決裂した。また、プレミアリーグへのカタールの影響力が高まることへの懸念も出ていた。
　対してラトクリフ氏は、１５億ポンド（約２７２０億円）前後で２５パーセントの株式取得を目指すという。
　現オーナーのグレーザー家による買収後、ユナイテッドは徐々に成績が下降し、今季はプレミアリーグで現在１０位。欧州チャンピオンズリーグではクラブ史上初めてグループリーグ開幕２連敗を喫した。
　ファンはここ２０年でインフラへの投資が不足していることにも不満を高めている。本拠地オールド・トラフォードは依然としてイングランド最大のサッカースタジアムだが、ライバルクラブの施設に後れを取らないためには、大規模改修が必要な状況となっている。
　シェイク・ジャシム氏は、新スタジアムとトレーニングセンターの計画にも１７億ドル（約２５４０億円）を投資することを約束していた。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2023/10/16-14:44）

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has withdrawn a bid to buy Manchester United, a source close to the deal told AFP on Saturday.
United announced nearly a year ago that they were exploring strategic alternatives to enhance the club's growth, with a full sale one of the options.
Sheikh Jassim and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe were the front-runners after several rounds of bidding earlier this year, but the process has stalled in recent months despite the anger of supporters towards current owners, the Glazer family.
The Daily Mail reported that Ratcliffe is now set to secure a 25 percent stake in the club for around £1.5 billion ($1.7 billion).
The Glazers have owned the English giants since a leveraged takeover in 2005 for £790 million saddled the club with huge debts.
Figures in March showed United's debt has now grown to £970 million.
Sheikh Jassim's bid was for full control of United and promised to clear the club's borrowings.
Further talks this week broke down despite an improved bid believed to be around £5 billion.
By contrast, Ratcliffe is reportedly willing to buy a smaller stake to break the impasse over the Glazers' £6 billion asking price.
Founder of petrochemicals giant Ineos, Ratcliffe is a boyhood United fan and already has a portfolio of sports investments.
Ineos owns French club Nice and Swiss side Lausanne-Sport, as well as leading cycling team Ineos Grenadiers and is a major sponsor of the Mercedes Formula One team.
United's fortunes on the field have also faded under the Glazers' tenure.
The Red Devils have not won the Premier League since former manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and last won the Champions League in 2008.
They currently sit 10th in the Premier League and have lost their first two Champions League group stage matches for the first time in the club's history.
Fans have also been left frustrated at a lack of investment in United's infrastructure over the past two decades.
Old Trafford remains the largest club football stadium in England, but is in need of significant redevelopment to keep pace with the facilities offered by their rivals.
United's home was overlooked in favour of Manchester City's Etihad Stadium for the UK and Ireland's successful bid to host Euro 2028.
The Sheikh Jassim deal also promised $1.7 billion to finance plans for a new stadium and training centre, as well investment in the transfer market on players.
But the bid by the son of a former Qatari prime minister raised concerns over the potential growth of state influence in the Premier League.
Reigning Premier League champions City's fortunes have been transformed since a takeover from Sheikh Mansour, a member of Abu Dhabi's ruling family, in 2008.
In 2021, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund also bought a controlling stake in Newcastle.
Amnesty International has called on the Premier League to tighten ownership rules to ensure they are not an opportunity for more sportswashing.