Al-Khelaifi denies involvement, Sheikh Jassim Al Thani's offer was made on a personal basis

Posted : 11 June 2023

Paris St-Germain president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, has stated that he had no involvement in the takeover of Manchester United. Recent reports indicated that the Glazer family, owners of United, contacted Al-Khelaifi a month ago in an attempt to persuade Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to increase his offer for the club.

This conversation has led to speculation about a wider Qatari role in Sheikh Jassim's bid, although the latter has consistently emphasized that his offer was made on a personal basis.

While attending a meeting of the European Clubs' Association (ECA) in Istanbul before the Champions League final, Al-Khelaifi, who chairs the ECA, addressed the matter, affirming that his focus is solely on PSG and that he has no connection to Manchester United.

He dismissed the suggestions and highlighted his Qatari identity, expressing amusement at the situation. Al-Khelaifi clarified that if people seek his opinion, he will offer his expertise, but this applies to any club and not just Manchester United. He aims to share his experience with others in a general sense.

Sheikh Jassim, meanwhile, has submitted his fifth bid for Manchester United, which remains on the table despite initial expectations that he would not pursue the matter beyond a certain deadline. His intention is to acquire a 100% stake in the club. In contrast, rival bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Group are open to securing a majority stake, allowing the Glazer family to maintain some level of representation.

Al-Khelaifi, who serves as the chairman of beIN Sport, a state-owned broadcaster in Doha, as well as the head of Qatari Sports Investments, has previously indicated his willingness to provide guidance. He mentioned that he had recently spoken with a wealthy group seeking information about potential investments in two English clubs.

However, he did not disclose the names of the parties involved. Al-Khelaifi denied meeting the Raine Group, who are handling the sale process for Manchester United. He expressed support for new investments in football, whether from Qatar or elsewhere, as long as they adhere to the regulations governing the sport.

Al-Khelaifi's remarks reflect his commitment to PSG and his readiness to offer advice within the parameters of his role. He maintains that he has no involvement in the Manchester United takeover and welcomes legitimate investment in European football.

Al-Khelaifi denies involvement, Sheikh Jassim Al Thani's offer was made on a personal basis

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