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Dubai investors eye Charlton takeover

AFP - 10 October 2008 23:15

Championship strugglers Charlton could become the latest English club to have foreign owners after receiving an indicative offer from a group of Dubai-based investors, the club confirmed on Friday.

LONDON (AFP) - Championship strugglers Charlton could become the latest English club to have foreign owners after receiving an indicative offer from a group of Dubai-based investors, the club confirmed on Friday.

The Addicks, who currently lie 14th in the Championship having been relegated from the Premier League in 2007, are the subject of an offer from Zabeel Investments, who were recently linked with buying Newcastle.

A statement from Charlton read: "The board of Charlton Athletic plc announces that it has received an indicative cash offer from Zabeel Investments, a Dubai-based diversified investment company.

"The indicative offer is subject to a number of (waivable) preconditions, including due diligence, however, it is at a level at which, should the offer be made formally to shareholders, the board would recommend shareholders to accept it.

"There is, however, no certainty that a formal offer will be made nor as to the terms of any offer.

"Zabeel Investments had been looking at the opportunity to invest in a leading English football club and had been monitoring the situation at Charlton Athletic Football Club closely.

"In spite of being approached by various English football clubs as well as a number of well-known clubs in Europe and South America, Zabeel Investments believes Charlton is the right club for them."

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Comments (9)

Milano79

10 October 2008 23:42

"Zabeel Investments" what about investing on some of the local clubs in Dubai or UAE to bring our game to a better level? how about that?

I understand how the "business minds" think, yes may be it's better to own a known team like "Charlton", but some of UAE teams are in desperate need for strong local based companies like yours.

Tontodonati

11 October 2008 00:04

Milano79, don't worry about it. This business of taking over soccer clubs, English clubs in particular, is a fad which will soon fade into oblivion as soon as, like their predecessors, the new investors run out of money! It's not true that the grass is greener in the neighbor's yard.

Milano79

11 October 2008 00:24

..................... Well Said ........................

Tontodonati

11 October 2008 01:16

Milano79, I forgot to mention that you are right. Those Middle East investors should strive to help their local clubs in order to raise the quality of soccer in their own back yard!

ThE_sPeCiAl_OnE

11 October 2008 01:38

Frenz, it's all about marketing their own brand. It's all bull crap about "oh yes, we want to help develop the club etc etc". They're businessmen after all.

Tontodonati

11 October 2008 02:02

Special-one. business has a way of failing when not done properly. Just look at the banks and at the Stock Market right now!

SoccerwayHooligan

11 October 2008 03:47

<snicker> They aren't even in the Top Flight! And look at their suitors.

Giorgio

11 October 2008 07:47

Soccer clubs are not immune to the financial turmoil that has spread all over the world.

I'll be interesting to see if any major European clubs will be forced into bankruptcy.

BesTalentScout

11 October 2008 08:58

Charlton ..............the next superpower...........who's next ?

MK Dons ??????? LOL............

League One table

# Team MP D P
1 17 +25 42
2 18 +15 36
3 18 +15 33
4 18 +13 32
5 18 +19 30

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