Archive → June 15th, 2011
Qatar Fully Explained
Qatar have again and again and again and again been linked with taking over United and I get loads of questions about it, so here is it explained.
There are three Qatari groups currently involved and linked in European Football.
1. Qatar Investment Authority (This is the sovereign wealth fund, the one in charge of investing any extra oil and gas revenue which comes into the country. This is ran by the Prime Minister of Qatar)
2. Qatar Holdings (Qatar Holdings is a direct subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority, therefore it is owned and run by the same people in the QIA)
3. Qatar Foundation (This a priviate non profit organisation which is run by the prime minsters wife, not himself, if he has any involvement I’ve not seen it yet. There seem to be no links to the Qatar Investment Authority)
As you can see the differences between the two main organisations currently involved are only small but are likely enough to allow them to have two involvement’s within European Football. The Qatar Foundation currently sponsors Barcelona and the Qatar Investment Authority/Qatar Holdings own 70% of PSG. If the Foundation being a non-profit organisation allows them by default to sponsor Barcelona, am not completely sure but this could also be the case. The Qatar Investment Authority is the one which holds the £10 Billions in funds to be invested in different areas of business and this is the one linked with United. While they own 70% of PSG, they CANNOT take over United. UEFA rules state one group or person cannot have two involvements in European football. Unless another member of the Royal Family steps up and is linked with a takeover, my view as has been over the last few weeks, is that this is a no go and the idea should be dropped.