Qatari investors are reportedly keen on making a bid to purchase Manchester United. However, Qatar Investment Authority has a connection to Qatar Sports Investment; as a result, many are asking how UEFA can allow this potential transaction.
QSI is the majority owner of Paris Saint-Germain and cannot own Manchester United because the two sides can meet in UEFA competitions. Nonetheless, Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol revealed on Tuesday how PSG’s owners could be involved in ownership without violating any rules.
“Yeah, there are UEFA rules that say, you know, the same owners can’t have two clubs in one competition,” Solhekol said. “But PSG is owned by Qatari Sports Investment, which is part of the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar.
“Now, QSI wouldn’t be able to own 100 percent of Manchester United as well as PSG and have both sides playing in the Champions League. But there is nothing to stop another high net-worth individual in Qatar or another investment group or company in Qatar [from] buying Manchester United. So there is a way around that rule.”
❌ Under current UEFA rules the same owners can't have two clubs in the same competition
💰 PSG is owned by Qatar Sports Investment, meaning they wouldn't be able to own 100% of Manchester United
[via @SkyKaveh] pic.twitter.com/2ki2ENGK3U
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 8, 2023
Additionally, the Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that the investors keen on buying The Red Devils are confident there will be no issues with any association with PSG.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi also sits on the QIA board. Furthermore, Al-Khelaifi would likely be involved in some capacity should anything emerge. However, CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs also reported that QSI would not be directly implicated in any possible bid, but that’s not to say that can’t own a minority percentage.
It will be interesting to see how this bid develops as the race is heating up ahead of the mid-February deadline set by the Glazers.
