Qatar or Ineos - which owners would you prefer? | Vote now Private

[ROFLUTION]

You think Malaga, who are in severe financial difficulty, are state backed ?!
Of course not - in fact QSI (who are the state entity who own PSG) are looking to buy them

It really is dodgy stereotyping to put anyone who happens to come from Qatar in the same boat

Of course they are state backed. The money has been inherited from the state and the take over has gotten an "OK" from the Thani Family of what is cool to spend money on. When things are not - then you get put in the back.

Statebacked is not just something I think. The royal family of Qatar do all business together. It starts with the family, it ends with the family. It's not a free country as you might think. It's synchronised in both good and bad ways and if you don't believe in that, then you are just really naive and blue-eyed.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yes

The Glazers are siblings, their father bought the club - clearly the same family

These 2 Al Thani's might be some kind of distant relatives but to call it the same family is ridiculous

So they’re relatives, with close family connections to the most powerful people in Qatar, who both fronted up bids to buy European football clubs. Almost as though there are some important similarities worth considering, right?

 

[Rood]

So they’re relatives, with close family connections to the most powerful people in Qatar, who both fronted up a Qatari state backed bid to buy European football clubs. Almost as though there are some important similarities worth considering, right?

There are more than 20,000 Al Thani's in Qatar - are they all the same family?

You seriously think Malaga is a state club? They are in several financial difficulty - do you think the state would allow that?

 

[ROFLUTION]

There are more than 20,000 Al Thani's in Qatar - are they all the same family?

You seriously think Malaga is a state club? They are in several financial difficulty - do you think the state would allow that?

What's up with this "allowing that"?

They spend money to see if a project floats or not - the point is that Malaga was a vanity project, that they don't care about anymore - maybe it just didnt float and now they don't care any more?

It's not like they don't spend money for fun. Just take a look at some of the buildings in Qatar and think if they're financially sound or just vanity/for fun projects. Maybe Malaga was just that too.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

There are more than 20,000 Al Thani's in Qatar - are they all the same family?

You seriously think Malaga is a state club? They are in several financial difficulty - do you think the state would allow that?

The point is they both have close personal ties with the most powerful people in Qatar. I have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes at Malaga. My point is that it’s a salutary lesson to United fans who seem to think that Qatari ownership means the club will be awash with cash and the funds will never dry up.

Or are you hoping that Manchester United becomes a state club so that couldn’t possibly happen?

 

[redshaw]

Neither bid fills me with any confidence still.

 

[ROFLUTION]

You think Malaga, who are in severe financial difficulty, are state backed ?!
Of course not - in fact QSI (who are the state entity who own PSG) are looking to buy them

It really is dodgy stereotyping to put anyone who happens to come from Qatar in the same boat

Just to clear things up.

You first ask "Do you really think the state of Qatar would allow Malaga to be in severe financial difficulties?"

Then you proceed to say the state entity of Qatar (QSI) are looking to buy Malaga?

Did I miss something here or are you contradicting yourself?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Just to clear things up.

You first ask "Do you really think the state of Qatar would allow Malaga to be in severe financial difficulties?"

Then you proceed to say the state entity of Qatar (QSI) are looking to buy Malaga?

Did I miss something here or are you contradicting yourself?

He’s saying Malaga isn’t state owned.

 

[Rood]

The point is they both have close personal ties with the most powerful people in Qatar. I have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes at Malaga. My point is that it’s a salutary lesson to United fans who seem to think that Qatari ownership means the club will be awash with cash and the funds will never dry up.

Or are you hoping that Manchester United becomes a state club so that couldn’t possibly happen?

Let's first stick to the point about your suggestion that the same family who own Malaga are bidding to buy our club because I don't agree with that in the slightest and it's important to establish the facts here before going into further detail

As I said, there are more than 20,000 members of the House of Al Thani in Qatar with various family lines going back more than a century - do you think it's right to say they are all today the same family?

 

[AlPistacho]

Of that we do know something - That they have ran Malaga into the ground.

There's a veeeery good chance a member of the family is just a front for a statebacked bid, so the point is it could be the same people who promise much, and deliver nothing albeit a bigger club would probably make them more committed to not fail so hard, as it'd damage their reputation quite a lot.

Malaga is not Jassim or his father. So not sure what you mean by “they”

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Let's first stick to the point about your suggestion that the same family who own Malaga are bidding to buy our club because I don't agree with that in the slightest and it's important to establish the facts here before going into further detail

As I said, there are more than 20,000 members of the House of Al Thani in Qatar with various family lines going back more than a century - do you think it's right to say they are all today the same family?

If you’re so keen to establish facts then I’ll settle for “both only distantly related but with close personal ties to the most powerful men* in Qatar”

Now I’m all ears regarding the further detail after agreeing these “facts”…


* was going to write ‘people’ but, you know…

 

[Rood]

He’s saying Malaga isn’t state owned.

Indeed

Note that the actual state sports investment fund (QSI) is apparently looking to buy Malaga:
https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2023/psg-owners-exploring-opportunity-of-buying-malaga/

 

[AlPistacho]

There are more than 20,000 Al Thani's from Qatar - are they all the same family?

/end Malaga connection

 

[TrebleChamp99]

Shiek Jassim does not own or have a stake in any other football club worldwide to state otherwise is factually wrong.

 

[NLunited]

I love how people just use the word sportwashing because the buyers are from the middle east.

Fans preferring the club to rot under the Glazers and SJR because he will be taking out loans and not clearing the debt, no news about the stadium or and infrastructure changes.

A buyer is willing to put that right, improve our infrastructure, stadium, playing squad but because they are from Qatar, its called sportswashing.

Right on bro. It‘s sportswashing because they are from Qatar. 100%.

PSG, Malaga, World Cup.

 

[glasgow 21]

Shiek Jassim does not own or have a stake in any other football club worldwide to state otherwise is factually wrong.

Who actually cares it is state funding, I am ok with it as Newcastle is state funded and is Man City. I also 100% ok with not going the state funded route and are happy to accept the consequences of that but don't sit and moan when that option wins and how we are not spending the money where its needed. The end game is Middle East will win gain control of the football game eventually 15 years tops and i mean total takeover , not doubts about it. American funding is seeing this and want to cash in when the Middle east do the money doping on officials/ owners etc ,they want a seat at the table when the bags of money are getting handed around. We have a option join the train now or later. We have no choice in either. Saudi PIF bought golf yesterday and they own Newcastle and to say that PIF is not state funding is utter nonsense. Why is the conversation about whether or not its state funded is even discussed ? it is breath we will all need one day.

 

[NLunited]

Who actually cares it is state funding, I am ok with it as Newcastle is state funded and is Man City. I also 100% ok with not going the state funded route and are happy to accept the consequences of that but don't sit and moan when that option wins and how we are not spending the money where its needed. The end game is Middle East will win gain control of the football game eventually 15 years tops and i mean total takeover , not doubts about it. American funding is seeing this and want to cash in when the Middle east do the money doping on officials/ owners etc ,they want a seat at the table when the bags of money are getting handed around. We have a option join the train now or later. We have no choice in either. Saudi PIF bought golf yesterday and they own Newcastle and to say that PIF is not state funding is utter nonsense. Why is the conversation about whether or not its state funded is even discussed ? it is breath we will all need one day.

Simple, because it is sportswashing. If that option wins I‘m done supporting United.

 

[Dan_F]

Round and round in circles we go. The Malaga situation is one that should definitely be a warning for those that are convinced it isn’t a state bid.

We’re being told that this guy, who isn’t state funded, who doesn’t have the personal wealth to buy United or any relevent experience to run it, is being given the money from his dad, who doesn’t have the reported wealth either. But wait, he does because he just has loads of assets under holding companies etc. And it’s being done under a foundation named after the class of 92. Totally not funded by the state, but could be if they wanted it to be, but promise it isn’t.

It’s either a shady as hell personal bid or it’s a state bid. People who don’t support the Qatari bid get called racist or whatever, but to be honest, if their nationality was American far more people would be calling out these red flags.

 

[glasgow 21]

Round and round in circles we go. The Malaga situation is one that should definitely be a warning for those that are convinced it isn’t a state bid.

We’re being told that this guy, who isn’t state funded, who doesn’t have the personal wealth to buy United or any relevent experience to run it, is being given the money from his dad, who doesn’t have the reported wealth either. But wait, he does because he just has loads of assets under holding companies etc. And it’s being done under a foundation named after the class of 92. Totally not funded by the state, but could be if they wanted it to be, but promise it isn’t.

It’s either a shady as hell personal bid or it’s a state bid. People who don’t support the Qatari bid get called racist or whatever, but to be honest, if their nationality was American far more people would be calling out these red flags.

Its a state bid, as is ever other club bought by a middle eastern entity. No point in muddling the lines here. At this point after the take over of golf by PIF I expect the `Glazers to stay and to draw more Oil/Gas money at a later date. Yesterday changes everything.

 

[glasgow 21]

Simple, because it is sportswashing. If that option wins I‘m done supporting United.

Well thats ok, cause many of us may just walk from football when the middle east buys it out. Unfortunately none of us has any say in the matter other than vote with our feet and switch the tv off. One thing for sure it will only be fans that turn their back as players will fall on bended knee with their hands held out for more money.

 

[Dan_F]

Its a state bid, as is ever other club bought by a middle eastern entity. No point in muddling the lines here. At this point after the take over of golf by PIF I expect the `Glazers to stay and to draw more Oil/Gas money at a later date. Yesterday changes everything.

There’a quite a few people doing mental gymnastics to try and convince themselves otherwise.

 

[Coxy]

Its a state bid, as is ever other club bought by a middle eastern entity. No point in muddling the lines here. At this point after the take over of golf by PIF I expect the `Glazers to stay and to draw more Oil/Gas money at a later date. Yesterday changes everything.

Yesterday?

 

[glasgow 21]

Yesterday?

Well, Saudi state PIF bought golf that will have ramifications throughout the sporting world, no two ways about it. Golfers and associate press knee deep in golf didnt know this was happening yesterday, not a clue so Glazers wouldn't have know either. Its changes everything.

 

[JeffFromHK]

Jim is obviously a bad sport club owner and not really a faithful Man Utd fan. Can't understand why some fans would pick him.

 

[jm99]

So they’re relatives, with close family connections to the most powerful people in Qatar, who both fronted up bids to buy European football clubs. Almost as though there are some important similarities worth considering, right?

Malaga was purchased for about 30m and could conceivably have come from a private individual without access to massive amounts of funding, we're being bought for over 5bn and would be impossible to be done without state backing or the private individual being incredibly wealthy, so there are almost no similarities

 

[MUFC OK]

Jim is obviously a bad sport club owner and not really a faithful Man Utd fan. Can't understand why some fans would pick him.

People have spent literally years bashing city and Newcastle ownerships and despite evidence are convinced this is the same. Because they’re not racist.. or something.

 

[mu4c_20le]

Jim is obviously a bad sport club owner and not really a faithful Man Utd fan. Can't understand why some fans would pick him.

Jassim obviously doesn't even exist, has anyone even seen him talk? Can't understand why some fans would pick him.

 

[NLunited]

Malaga was purchased for about 30m and could conceivably have come from a private individual without access to massive amounts of funding, we're being bought for over 5bn and would be impossible to be done without state backing or the private individual being incredibly wealthy, so there are almost no similarities

Malaga does not compare well, this is true.

PSG on the other hand does, and that should be a warning.

 

[Andersonson]

Jim is obviously a bad sport club owner and not really a faithful Man Utd fan. Can't understand why some fans would pick him.

Because its better than Qatar

 

[jm99]

Malaga does not compare well, this is true.

PSG on the other hand does, and that should be a warning.

Agreed, it would be awful to start winning league titles and reaching the champions league final.

 

[AbusementPark]

The point is they both have close personal ties with the most powerful people in Qatar. I have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes at Malaga. My point is that it’s a salutary lesson to United fans who seem to think that Qatari ownership means the club will be awash with cash and the funds will never dry up.

Or are you hoping that Manchester United becomes a state club so that couldn’t possibly happen?

We are a self sustaining club, once the facilities and stadium have been upgraded, debt cleared then the club should be able to sustain itself for any length of time. Malaga don’t have the same fan base or appeal due to being in a 3 team league

 

[Malkovich]

Given our luck Qatar buys us and electrical cars become the norm from that day on.

 

[Rood]

If you’re so keen to establish facts then I’ll settle for “both only distantly related but with close personal ties to the most powerful men* in Qatar”

Now I’m all ears regarding the further detail after agreeing these “facts”…


* was going to write ‘people’ but, you know…

Ok that's fair, so we have at least established that it's not the same immediate family who own Malaga who are bidding to buy Man Utd. At which point I would question what worth any comparison has.

I guess you could still look at Malaga as an example of private Qatari ownership (Vs PSG which is state owned) but clearly it's nowhere near as relevant as the record of INEOS at Lausanne & Nice since that is the exact same company.

I see the point has also already been made that unlike Malaga (or PSG or City etc), we don't need an owner to put in any money for squad investment anyway - 92 Foundation say their takeover will be debt free and therefore the club will be more than self sufficient.

I actually wouldn't want to see us investing any more into the transfer market than we have done in recent times. Even with debts we have spent (wasted?) ridiculous amounts on the squad as it is - we don't need to spend more, we just need to spend better.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

Given our luck Qatar buys us and electrical cars become the norm from that day on.

If oil disappeared overnight, we'd have much bigger problems to deal with than a football club.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Neither bid fills me with any confidence still.

Same

Though my opinions would likely be much different if the sale was like the Chelsea one and the bidders could express their plans and ambitions

And I’m still certain either bidder will be much better as a majority/full owner than the Glazers have been

 

[Von Mistelroum]

Looks like it'll be a continuation of Glazer rule along with British Glazer and increased debt. Hopefully they'll at least put some funds into fixing the infrastructure but I'm not hopeful.

Obviously my preference is Qatar, not because I like it, or think it'll be a guarantee, but it's better than the Glazers and I'm not sure Jim would be.

 

[Bastian]

@Eddy_JukeZ @AlPistacho @TheRedHearted @Tango80

Cheers for the replies guys. I've enjoyed the ensuing discussion.

I'm still racking my brains as to why Ratcliffe, a self-confessed supporter, wouldn't encourage the fanbase by declaring he'll clear the debt and oversee major investment in the stadium and training complex when he takes over, if that is his intention? I see a lot of people assuming that because he's mindful of his legacy and he wouldn't want to shit on his own doorstep, even though he probably lives in Luxembourg, Monaco or Zurich or wherever, that he'll tick all the boxes.

If that's his intention, why wouldn't he say that and immediately increase the goodwill from supporters, not least when he's keeping the Glazer cnuts around?

The only reason I can think of is that he's deferring to the Glazers as much as possible while the deal hasn't been completed. Has he been critical of how the Glazers have run the club in the past?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

If oil disappeared overnight, we'd have much bigger problems to deal with than a football club.

If our reliance on oil disappeared overnight we’d have solved the biggest problem of all.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

If our reliance on oil disappeared overnight we’d have solved the biggest problem of all.

Perhaps, that's not related to what I said though.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

@Eddy_JukeZ @AlPistacho @TheRedHearted @Tango80

Cheers for the replies guys. I've enjoyed the ensuing discussion.

I'm still racking my brains as to why Ratcliffe, a self-confessed supporter, wouldn't encourage the fanbase by declaring he'll clear the debt and oversee major investment in the stadium and training complex when he takes over, if that is his intention? I see a lot of people assuming that because he's mindful of his legacy and he wouldn't want to shit on his own doorstep, even though he probably lives in Luxembourg, Monaco or Zurich or wherever, that he'll tick all the boxes.

If that's his intention, why wouldn't he say that and immediately increase the goodwill from supporters, not least when he's keeping the Glazer cnuts around?

The only reason I can think of is that he's deferring to the Glazers as much as possible while the deal hasn't been completed. Has he been critical of how the Glazers have run the club in the past?

The mistake you’re making there is thinking the goodwill of the supporters matter to any of these guys until after they finally get a deal across the line. Meanwhile, making promises they subsequently may not be able to keep would be a dumb move.