The Takeover Is On

[bkkjames]

Funny the cityforum are all abuzz with this news that is yet to break today but is apparently on the cards...http://forums.bluemo...hp?f=1&t=202916

Qatar Holdings, an investment vehicle for the Qatari royal family, have confirmed a period of due diligence on a £1.5billion takeover of Manchester United. The Gulf state of Qatar has already landed the right to stage the 2022 World Cup finals in an audacious international coup.

The Qataris have also accumulated a huge range of trophy assets in England including the Harrods store and spectacular London properties such as One Hyde Park, the Shard of Glass and the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square.

Just before Christmas the Qatar Foundation, the charity wing of the ruling family, bought the sponsorship rights to the Barcelona shirt. It was a declaration of their intention of getting Qatar accepted as a global football brand.

Amongst other brands it owns VW and Porsche.

Its chairman, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, who is also Qatari Prime Minister, is keen to add to their portfolio of investments and sees United as an iconic acquisition. The arrival of the Qatar billions (estimated to dwarf the £550 billion enjoyed by City's owners) would pave the way for the end of the controversial Glazer family reign.

The Arabs can satisfy any request for proof of funding from the Glazer family in the United States and are also willing to fund a massive transfer fund for manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

United's huge fan base around the globe are certain to welcome the change of ownership from the controversial Glazer regime.

Speculation that there was a change in the Glazer's policy aired a few weeks ago when they reduced United's

debt by paying back around £200m in PIK loans and hinting at a share issue and many City observers believe that reduction in debt would spark a Glazer sell-off. There were even rumours that the funding for the change had come from overseas investors keen to take a stake in United but the Glazers denied this.

Qatar Holdings will confirm that they have set aside around £2.5bn in funds to purchase the club and provide Sir Alex

with unlimited spending power in the transfer market.

So far the Glazers have resisted attempts to drive them out of Old Trafford even though the fans have been so critical of their reign, but now the scene is set for the Glazers to leave with a massive profit.

Qatar Holdings have been linked with a host of European giants including Barcelona, Real Madrid as well as Premier League rivals, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle but United have always been top of their wish list.

This purchase of United would leave the club debt free and the most powerful club in the current world transfer market and even neighbours City, with their relative wealth, would find it hard to compete with the red revolution at what is already by far the most successful club in England."

Even if this does come to pass I believe SAF will not spend like the bitters even though he can.

[carmine]

News like this is enough to make me want to vomit.

Are the Qatari royals bored so they've decded to "get into football" for a while and play a game of who can spend the most money with the owners of Man City?

[bkkjames]

News like this is enough to make me want to vomit.

Are the Qatari royals bored so they've decded to "get into football" for a while and play a game of who can spend the most money with the owners of Man City?

I don't know Carmine but ever since last year when we went down there to play some exhibition game during a few days off, it's been in the back of my mind. I should have took that job in Doha after all

[nev]

It was the qatar royal family who wiped our P.I.K loan out so this could be true i have been hearing this for weeks now,would make sense to them seeing they will be hosting the world cup.

[MSingh]

Are the Qatari royals bored so they've decded to "get into football" for a while and play a game of who can spend the most money with the owners of Man City?

Errrrrr yeah, sadly..

Footballs as the Game we all grew to love & fell in love with, is finished, 100%.

The Prem can't & wouldn't wnat to ban Foreign Ownership because of the $$ it geenrates, but Foreign Ownership is killing OUR Sport.

[bkkjames]

Are the Qatari royals bored so they've decded to "get into football" for a while and play a game of who can spend the most money with the owners of Man City?

Errrrrr yeah, sadly..

Footballs as the Game we all grew to love & fell in love with, is finished, 100%.

The Prem can't & wouldn't wnat to ban Foreign Ownership because of the $ it geenrates, but Foreign Ownership is killing OUR Sport.

A debate for another thread perhaps Singer but I will bite. How many of the current Premier League Teams are foreign owned?

Is the Premier League not the most popular in the World?

The Defense Rests.

[MSingh]

Are the Qatari royals bored so they've decded to "get into football" for a while and play a game of who can spend the most money with the owners of Man City?

Errrrrr yeah, sadly..

Footballs as the Game we all grew to love & fell in love with, is finished, 100%.

The Prem can't & wouldn't wnat to ban Foreign Ownership because of the $ it geenrates, but Foreign Ownership is killing OUR Sport.

A debate for another thread perhaps Singer but I will bite. How many of the current Premier League Teams are foreign owned?

Is the Premier League not the most popular in the World?

The Defense Rests.

The defence rests ??

Look at the state of your own Club because of Foreign Ownership.

Look at the state of Liverpool..

Look at what happened to us because of Foreign Ownership..

Look at the joke that is now Blckburn Rovers

Etc Etc

Oh sorry i forgot, you're foreign.

The defence rests.

[bkkjames]

Are the Qatari royals bored so they've decded to "get into football" for a while and play a game of who can spend the most money with the owners of Man City?

Errrrrr yeah, sadly..

Footballs as the Game we all grew to love & fell in love with, is finished, 100%.

The Prem can't & wouldn't wnat to ban Foreign Ownership because of the $ it geenrates, but Foreign Ownership is killing OUR Sport.

A debate for another thread perhaps Singer but I will bite. How many of the current Premier League Teams are foreign owned?

Is the Premier League not the most popular in the World?

The Defense Rests.

The defence rests ??

Look at the state of your own Club because of Foreign Ownership.

Look at the state of Liverpool..

Look at what happened to us because of Foreign Ownership..

Look at the joke that is now Blckburn Rovers

Etc Etc

Oh sorry i forgot, you're foreign.

The defence rests.

Look at the state of West Ham, Look at the State of Fulham, Look at the State of Barca, Valencia....... times change Singer. Evolve or be relegated

[alfieconn]

The defence rests ??

Look at the state of your own Club because of Foreign Ownership.

Look at the state of Liverpool..

Look at what happened to us because of Foreign Ownership..

Look at the joke that is now Blckburn Rovers

Etc Etc

Oh sorry i forgot, you're foreign.

The defence rests.

I thought that was because of Arri

[MrRed]

Are the Qatari royals bored so they've decded to "get into football" for a while and play a game of who can spend the most money with the owners of Man City?

Errrrrr yeah, sadly..

Footballs as the Game we all grew to love & fell in love with, is finished, 100%.

The Prem can't & wouldn't wnat to ban Foreign Ownership because of the $ it geenrates, but Foreign Ownership is killing OUR Sport.

A debate for another thread perhaps Singer but I will bite. How many of the current Premier League Teams are foreign owned?

Is the Premier League not the most popular in the World?

The Defense Rests.

The defence rests ??

Look at the state of your own Club because of Foreign Ownership.

Look at the state of Liverpool..

Look at what happened to us because of Foreign Ownership..

Look at the joke that is now Blckburn Rovers

Etc Etc

Oh sorry i forgot, you're foreign.

The defence rests.

I would feel the same if i followed the hammers,ask any nationality in the world which league they prefer watching!

Any business is for sale at the right price.To think football is any different well??

[smokie36]

And to think...it used to be a sport enjoyed on a Saturday afternoon...couple of quid on the gate.....pie at half time and a few pints with the supporters afterwards....now its £250000 a week.

Work it out gents but I'm with singhy on this one.

[bkkjames]

And to think...it used to be a sport enjoyed on a Saturday afternoon...couple of quid on the gate.....pie at half time and a few pints with the supporters afterwards....now its £250000 a week.

Work it out gents but I'm with singhy on this one.

I was saying the same thing the other day when I was in tops contemplating buying that box of Mac and Cheese for 65 Baht - that when I was kid went for less than 10 Baht.

[smokie36]

And to think...it used to be a sport enjoyed on a Saturday afternoon...couple of quid on the gate.....pie at half time and a few pints with the supporters afterwards....now its £250000 a week.

Work it out gents but I'm with singhy on this one.

I was saying the same thing the other day when I was in tops contemplating buying that box of Mac and Cheese for 65 Baht - that when I was kid went for less than 10 Baht.

That you see football as a commodity to be bought and sold comes as no surprise to me James.

[bkkjames]

And to think...it used to be a sport enjoyed on a Saturday afternoon...couple of quid on the gate.....pie at half time and a few pints with the supporters afterwards....now its £250000 a week.

Work it out gents but I'm with singhy on this one.

I was saying the same thing the other day when I was in tops contemplating buying that box of Mac and Cheese for 65 Baht - that when I was kid went for less than 10 Baht.

That you see football as a commodity to be bought and sold comes as no surprise to me James.

You can blame foreigners like me Smokes for your troubles - I don't mind. We forced you to pay those massive transfers fees and wages in the hopes of getting in the top four and all the commercial riches that come with it. We even forced you to pay those extortionate ticket prices to go watch.

Anyways, I thought there was something on the cards about Financial Fair play coming soon?

[StevieH]

And to think...it used to be a sport enjoyed on a Saturday afternoon...couple of quid on the gate.....pie at half time and a few pints with the supporters afterwards....now its £250000 a week.

Work it out gents but I'm with singhy on this one.

I was saying the same thing the other day when I was in tops contemplating buying that box of Mac and Cheese for 65 Baht - that when I was kid went for less than 10 Baht.

That you see football as a commodity to be bought and sold comes as no surprise to me James.

oof. right cross to the jaw there.

to answer mr red's post above, the english premier league might be the most-watched in the world but that's purely due to its being the best-marketed. the spanish liga is light years away in terms of quality of football and genuine stars of the world game.

[smokie36]

And to think...it used to be a sport enjoyed on a Saturday afternoon...couple of quid on the gate.....pie at half time and a few pints with the supporters afterwards....now its £250000 a week.

Work it out gents but I'm with singhy on this one.

I was saying the same thing the other day when I was in tops contemplating buying that box of Mac and Cheese for 65 Baht - that when I was kid went for less than 10 Baht.

That you see football as a commodity to be bought and sold comes as no surprise to me James.

You can blame foreigners like me Smokes for your troubles - I don't mind. We forced you to pay those massive transfers fees and wages in the hopes of getting in the top four and all the commercial riches that come with it. We even forced you to pay those extortionate ticket prices to go watch.

Anyways, I thought there was something on the cards about Financial Fair play coming soon?

The financial 'fair play' plans will mean those clubs with worldwide marketing remain at the top of the game still. No real difference except for billionaire ownership meaning slightly less than before. My view is the whole game will become shadier as a result.

How can you regulate this greed? Fcuked if I know!

[smokie36]

to answer mr red's post above, the english premier league might be the most-watched in the world but that's purely due to its being the best-marketed. the spanish liga is light years away in terms of quality of football and genuine stars of the world game.

Trouble is its basically a two horse race. Great football at times mind.

At least in the Premiership its usually a three horse event......most years anyway!

[StevieH]

to answer mr red's post above, the english premier league might be the most-watched in the world but that's purely due to its being the best-marketed. the spanish liga is light years away in terms of quality of football and genuine stars of the world game.

Trouble is its basically a two horse race. Great football at times mind.

At least in the Premiership its usually a three horse event......most years anyway!

dunno man, think the premier league has been a two-horse race for the last what, ten years? whether it was united and arsenal or united and chelsea i don't really remember it being a three-way contest heading into april or whatever.

yes that's true about spain too but the quality of football played by all the lower down sides is still excellent for me. but then i prefer technique over physique, quality over pace. sky sports doesn't.

[bkkjames]

to answer mr red's post above, the english premier league might be the most-watched in the world but that's purely due to its being the best-marketed. the spanish liga is light years away in terms of quality of football and genuine stars of the world game.

Trouble is its basically a two horse race. Great football at times mind.

At least in the Premiership its usually a three horse event......most years anyway!

dunno man, think the premier league has been a two-horse race for the last what, ten years? whether it was united and arsenal or united and chelsea i don't really remember it being a three-way contest heading into april or whatever.

yes that's true about spain too but the quality of football played by all the lower down sides is still excellent for me. but then i prefer technique over physique, quality over pace. sky sports doesn't.

I bet you like Seria Ahhhh Wake Me up when its over as well.

[StevieH]

to answer mr red's post above, the english premier league might be the most-watched in the world but that's purely due to its being the best-marketed. the spanish liga is light years away in terms of quality of football and genuine stars of the world game.

Trouble is its basically a two horse race. Great football at times mind.

At least in the Premiership its usually a three horse event......most years anyway!

dunno man, think the premier league has been a two-horse race for the last what, ten years? whether it was united and arsenal or united and chelsea i don't really remember it being a three-way contest heading into april or whatever.

yes that's true about spain too but the quality of football played by all the lower down sides is still excellent for me. but then i prefer technique over physique, quality over pace. sky sports doesn't.

I bet you like Seria Ahhhh Wake Me up when its over as well.

yes james, i like serie a and italian football in general too. i like all football, it's just that some football is better to watch than others and some is more effective for winning matches. if english players and coaches knew the tenets of catennaccio for example they might not still be banging on about one world cup win 50-odd years ago.

[MrRed]

And to think...it used to be a sport enjoyed on a Saturday afternoon...couple of quid on the gate.....pie at half time and a few pints with the supporters afterwards....now its £250000 a week.

Work it out gents but I'm with singhy on this one.

I was saying the same thing the other day when I was in tops contemplating buying that box of Mac and Cheese for 65 Baht - that when I was kid went for less than 10 Baht.

That you see football as a commodity to be bought and sold comes as no surprise to me James.

oof. right cross to the jaw there.

to answer mr red's post above, the english premier league might be the most-watched in the world but that's purely due to its being the best-marketed. the spanish liga is light years away in terms of quality of football and genuine stars of the world game.

Stevie it is not all to do with the marketing,its alot to do with the style played and actual Excitement! ,the Spanish league is not light years away...maybe Barca are but nobody else is and genuine stars??? who? without Madrid and Barca! 2 TEAMS.

[StevieH]

Stevie it is not all to do with the marketing,its alot to do with the style played and actual Excitement! ,the Spanish league is not light years away...maybe Barca are but nobody else is and genuine stars??? who? without Madrid and Barca! 2 TEAMS.

'excitement' in the english league typically means 'more mistakes' and 'crap defending'. if that's your idea of good football fair enough and good luck to you. it's thinking that's at the heart of why the england national team is so terminally crap in my opinion though.

plenty of other teams in spain have top, top players playing for them. where are this year's three ballon d'or nominees playing their club football? i don't think there are really that many what you could call 'world stars' playing in england these days. gerrard, drogba, lampard et al are all getting on a bit now. city have a couple, united maybe one or two, arsenal a couple.

[MrRed]

Thats my point all 3 from Barcelona! lets be honest they have half the world cup winning squad playing for them also.

Plenty of world stars in the Premier league,at what level is your argument i think? United have got maybe 10!

Mistakes happen when you are put under pressure from good attacking football and crap defending is just crap defending usually individually in which case happens to all defenders from time to time.Lets be honest even if Barca and Real are got at they have not got the best defensive records have they? Italy a few years back yes! but not now still boring and try to pinch a goal.

The premier lg has it all and,if United where playin Liverpool and Barca where playing Madrid i know which one i would rather watch,passion is an underrated talent and the premier lg has it more than any other league in the world,yes it creates mistakes but for pure skill and teqnique barca are on another level at the moment.

[imola]

had a coupla beers tonight with a fella that supports shrewsbury town-----

yep , passion for me is, and always will be the clincher.

[MSingh]

And to think...it used to be a sport enjoyed on a Saturday afternoon...couple of quid on the gate.....pie at half time and a few pints with the supporters afterwards....now its £250000 a week.

Work it out gents but I'm with singhy on this one.

I was saying the same thing the other day when I was in tops contemplating buying that box of Mac and Cheese for 65 Baht - that when I was kid went for less than 10 Baht.

That you see football as a commodity to be bought and sold comes as no surprise to me James.

O-W-N-E-D

[MSingh]

Errrrrr yeah, sadly..

Footballs as the Game we all grew to love & fell in love with, is finished, 100%.

The Prem can't & wouldn't wnat to ban Foreign Ownership because of the $ it geenrates, but Foreign Ownership is killing OUR Sport.

A debate for another thread perhaps Singer but I will bite. How many of the current Premier League Teams are foreign owned?

Is the Premier League not the most popular in the World?

The Defense Rests.

The defence rests ??

Look at the state of your own Club because of Foreign Ownership.

Look at the state of Liverpool..

Look at what happened to us because of Foreign Ownership..

Look at the joke that is now Blckburn Rovers

Etc Etc

Oh sorry i forgot, you're foreign.

The defence rests.

I would feel the same if i followed the hammers,ask any nationality in the world which league they prefer watching!

That's irrelevent though Nat isn't it ??