MANCHESTER UNITED could reportedly become a part of the biggest multi-club network in the world if they are taken over by Qatari investors.
The Red Devils’ owners the Glazers are considering several bids as they weigh up the possibility of selling the Premier League giants.
One of the most high-profile offers has come from a group fronted by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani – chairman of the Qatari Islamic Bank and son of the gulf state’s former Prime Minister.
Qatar Sports Investments already own Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
They also have a de facto controlling stake in Portuguese outfit Sporting Braga.
And according to the Daily Record, QSI chairman and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is considering taking control of Malaga – who are in danger of dropping down to the third tier of Spanish football.
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The club have been owned by a subsidiary member of Qatar’s ruling family, Abdullah Al-Thani, since 2010, but have entered judicial administration.
However, QSI are looking into bringing the team into their sports investment infrastructure in a bid to return them to LaLiga.
This is part of a plan to create the biggest multi-club network in the sport, with Braga acting as development outfit for Man Utd and PSG.
It would rival the City Football Group – which Manchester City are a part of alongside the likes of New York City, Melbourne City and Mumbai City FC.
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Braga sit third in the Primeira Liga meaning they are in line to reach the Champions League qualifiers next season – where a run to the group-stage could see them drawn against United or PSG.
Existing Uefa rules dictate that two clubs owned by the same people cannot compete against one another in European competition.
However, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin recently hinted at an imminent changing of those regulations.
He told The Overlap: “This multi-club ownership question is an interesting question, I think we should think about it for the future and see what to do.
“There is more and more interest for this multi-club ownership and we shouldn’t just say no for the investments.
“But we have to see what kind of rules we set in that case because rules have to be strict. We have to rethink the current rules.
“I think it has to be quick because… everything has to happen quick in football.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
