March 12, (THEWILL) – In the lead-up to Manchester United’s English Premier League match against Southampton, fans of the club announced plans to display a banner protesting against potential Qatari ownership.
As THEWILL reported, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is one of two prospective bidders looking to take over at Manchester United, with the other being Sir Jim Ratcliffe, head of INEOS and Britain’s richest man. However, Qatar’s bid has sparked controversy due to concerns over the potential for the club to become state-owned, in a similar way to Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Paris Saint-Germain.
These issues have led to concerns among Manchester United fans, with some expressing fears about the club’s reputation if it were to be taken over by a state-linked entity. Amnesty International activists are among those who have been vocal in their opposition to the Qatari bid and announced plans to display a banner reading “No Qatari sportswashing at United!” during the Southampton match.
Organiser of the protest, Kathryn Fletcher, has called on the EPL to ensure that clubs are not taken over by owners linked to serious human rights abuses. Yet, the debate around the potential Qatari ownership of Manchester United is likely to continue, with many fans and observers calling for greater transparency and accountability in football club ownership.
As the sport continues to grow in popularity and influence around the world, it will be important for stakeholders to work together to ensure that the values of fair play, human rights, and respect for the game are upheld.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
