Features

Premier League's foreign legion

Author: John Harris
Date: 19/10/2009
Football betting

The Premier League would be well within its rights to rename itself the 'League of Nations' following the latest round of club takeovers.

Earlier in the month, Portsmouth changed hands for the second time in the space of 42 days when Saudi businessman Ali Al-Faraj ended the chaotic reign of Dubai-based Sulaiman Al-Fahim.

However, it is the subsequent takeover of Birmingham City which has raised more eyebrows as Carson Yeung's buyout at St Andrew's has taken the number of Premier League clubs in foreign ownership to the ten mark.

Hong Kong businessman Yeung replaced David Sullivan and David Gold at the helm of the Blues in what is a landmark moment for a league which surely can no longer claim to be English.

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One group of people who don't seem too concerned with the growing international influence of the Premier League is the Premier League itself.

Aston Villa, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Sunderland, West Ham United and online betting title favourites Chelsea are the other eight clubs also in foreign ownership.

"The Barclays Premier League attracts a significant global audience and part of that interest manifests itself as overseas investment," said a league spokesman.

"All investors in Premier League clubs, regardless of where they come from, are buying into something they view as a success. Our role is to ensure they comply with the League's regulations, not check their passports."

From the list of ten clubs it is Americans who now appear to have the biggest say in the top-flight of English football.

The Glazer family broke new ground when they took over at Manchester United in 2005.

However, they have been swiftly followed by Randy Lerner at Aston Villa (2006), George Gillett and Tom Hicks at Liverpool (2006) and Ellis Short at Sunderland (2009).

Manchester City have been owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Abu Dhabi United Group for 18 months as Middle Eastern investors continue to show an interest in the richest league in the world.

Meanwhile, West Ham find themselves in Icelandic hands despite well-publicised financial problems, while Fulham are owned and chaired by Egyptian retail tycoon Mohammed Al-Fayed.

The final club in foreign ownership is Chelsea where Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has been at the helm for six years.

While the money keeps rolling in and the good times continues this trend shows no signs of easing.

However, what happens when the bubble eventually bursts is a question nobody seems to want to ask.

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