Tag Archives: qatari

Lucas Moura denies Manchester United snub was for money

Posted on by

Moura claims PSG move not about the money after Brazil star snubbed United

|

UPDATED:

10:42 GMT, 5 November 2012

Brazilian star Lucas Moura has denied money was the motivation behind his decision to snub Manchester United in favour of Paris St Germain.

The 20-year-old will move to the French capital in January after agreeing a 35million from Sao Paulo during the summer.

United, along with Inter Milan, were favourites to lure the midfielder away from his homeland, and were poised to have 30m bids accepted before PSG, who are bankrolled by the Qatari royal family, made their move.

Franch fancy: Lucas Moura will complete his move to PSG in January

Franch fancy: Lucas Moura will complete his move to PSG in January

But in admitting he is anxious ahead of the switch in 2013, Moura, who starred in the Olympic football tournament for Brazil, says he chose Paris for the familiar faces already at the club.

'Thiago Silva has told me a lot about the club and its facilities, and it will be nice to have him as my team-mate,' he told French media. 'However, I have to admit that I do have a bit of fear about how things will pan out. I don't know how it will go.

'I am not thinking about money, but I am more concerned with whether my next destination will be the right one. PSG's ambition and the presence of the other Brazilians convinced me to sign.

'I am following PSG from a distance. I am mainly focusing on the end of the season with Sao Paulo for now.'

At the time of the deal, Sao Paulo vice-president Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopes revealed the club's former star player Leonardo – now PSG's sporting director – had been key in seeing the midfielder chose Ligue 1 over the Premier League.

Dimitar Berbatov wanted by Malaga

Posted on by

Wealthy Malaga eye cut-price deal for Manchester United outcast Berbatov

|

UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 18 June 2012

Dimitar Berbatov could be offered a way out of Manchester United and a route back into the Champions League by Malaga.

The big-spending Spaniards, backed by a Qatari sheikh, want to sign a high-profile striker this summer in preparation for their first foray into Europe's elite competition and are ready to move for Berbatov or Schalke's 18m-rated Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 28.

Berbatov, 31, would be available for considerably less with both the Bulgaria striker and United accepting that he has no future at Old Trafford.

End of the road: Berbatov's stay at Old Trafford appears to be over

End of the road: Berbatov's stay at Old Trafford appears to be over

Buy Didier Drogba, Mamadou Sakho tells Paris Saint-Germain

Posted on by

Reunite Drogba with Ancelotti, captain Sakho urges PSG's super-rich owners

|

UPDATED:

07:37 GMT, 23 March 2012

Paris Saint-Germain captain Mamadou Sakho has called for the megabucks club to reunite boss Carlo Ancelotti with Didier Drogba.

The Ivory Coast striker's contract with Chelsea expires this summer and Sakho wants PSG's Qatari owners to make Drogba an offer he can't refuse.

PSG are riding high at the top of the Ligue 1 table but will need reinforcements if they wish to challenge Europe's best in the Champions League next season.

Clock is ticking: Didier Drogba's Chelsea contract runs out this summer

Clock is ticking: Didier Drogba's Chelsea contract runs out this summer

And Sakho, a France international of Senegalese descent, insists Drogba is the perfect candidate for PSG, admitting he has nothing but admiration for the 34-year-old forward's stellar career so far.

'Yes, I would really like to play with him,' said Sakho when asked about Drogba.

Old pals: Paris Saint Germain manager Carlo Ancelotti is Drogba's former boss

Old pals: Paris Saint Germain manager Carlo Ancelotti is Drogba's former boss

'I really appreciate, in view of his career, where he went, the desire he had to move and succeed, what he stands for in Africa and in his country.'

Sakho also played down the fact that Drogba made his name at PSG's fierce rivals Marseille.

'He played for Marseille I forgot about that,' he joked.

Arsenal weigh up shock move for Alessandro Del Piero

Posted on by

Arsenal weigh up shock move for Del Piero as veteran calls time on Juventus

|

UPDATED:

11:19 GMT, 17 March 2012

Alessandro Del Piero has put several Premier League clubs on alert after calling time on his 19-year stay at Juventus.

The Italian legend is out of contract with the Turin giants this summer and has not been offered an extention, leading Del Piero's camp to declare his time at Juve all but over.

QPR and Blackburn have shown interest in the veteran forward this season but could face competition from megarich Paris Saint-Germain.

Turin hero: Alessandro Del Piero has been with Juventus since 1993

Turin hero: Alessandro Del Piero has been with Juventus since 1993

Former team-mate Mohamed Sissoko, once a member of Liverpool's midfield, has urged the French club's Qatari owners to snap up Del Piero.

But Arsenal have emerged as shock contenders for Del Piero's signature, according to Sky Sports.

Del Piero's brother and agent, Stefano, told Italian media that Del Piero's days at the Old Lady are numbered.

Still got it: Del Piero (left) in Serie A action against Genoa last week

Still got it: Del Piero (left) in Serie A action against Genoa last week

He told Ilsussidiario.net: 'There is no news at the moment but all the doors are open for a move away from Turin.

'There are no restrictions from our part. It all depends on what type of project a club has and what is exactly behind the proposal and the kind of football which would attract Alex, but the main interest is the project.'

He added: 'I think that after 20 years with Juventus and having given his availability to the club to sign a new deal since last February, it is now very difficult to remain in Italy.

'We are not close to anything, but I think it will be hard to remain in Serie A.'

Mohamed bin Hamman appeal to be heard by CAS in April

Posted on by

Bin Hammam appeal over lifetime ban to be heard by CAS in April

Former FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam's appeal against a lifetime ban from all football activity imposed by the sport's world governing body will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on April 18 and 19.

Bin Hammam, who was also the head of the Asian Football Confederation, was banned after being found guilty of bribery by FIFA's ethics committee at a hearing in July last year.

His appeal against FIFA's decision, which was lodged in November, is listed on the CAS website among their upcoming cases.

Appeal: Mohamed bin Hammam hopes to overturn his lifetime ban

Appeal: Mohamed bin Hammam hopes to overturn his lifetime ban

The Qatari national was found guilty of attempting to bribe members of the Caribbean Football Union at a meeting on the FIFA presidency campaign trail in Trinidad in May.

A statement from Bin Hammam's legal team at the time the ban was imposed read: 'He will continue to fight his case through the legal routes that are open to him.

Once they were friends: Bin Hammam with FIFA president Sepp Blatter

Once they were friends: Bin Hammam with FIFA president Sepp Blatter

'He has gone on record, and maintains, that the FIFA ethics committee was going to find against him whatever the validity of the case presented to them.

'The FIFA ethics committee has apparently based its decision upon so-called “circumstantial” evidence which our case has clearly demonstrated was bogus and founded on lies told by a senior FIFA official.'

Carlo Ancelotti named PSG manager

Posted on by

Ancelotti unveiled by PSG… and Beckham is to follow

Paris St Germain have unveiled former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager, replacing Antoine Kombouare.

Ancelotti was pictured with PSG officials in the French capital on Wednesday as speculation grew he was on the verge of signing a two-and-a-half year contract.

It is the Italian”s first job since being sacked by the Blues at the end of last season.

Next stop: Carlo Ancelotti leaves the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris

Next stop: Carlo Ancelotti leaves the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris

Kombouare”s place at the helm has constantly been the centre of scrutiny this season despite leading them to the top of the Ligue 1 table at the winter break.

Kombouare oversaw a premature Europa League exit at the group stage, however, and the club”s ambitious new Qatari owners have sought to reinvigorate the capital club with high-profile names.

The former AC Milan boss could also be joined by David Beckham, who he coached briefly at the Italian club during his first loan spell at the San Siro, in the coming days.

Sacked: Antoine Kombouare was dismissed despite PSG

Sacked: Antoine Kombouare was dismissed despite PSG”s league position

PSGare reportedly close to completing a deal to sign the former England skipper once his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy expires at the end of the month.

Ancelotti won a league and cup double with Chelsea in his first season in charge before he was sacked.

The Italian was also a two-time Champions League winner during his decade-long spell at Milan.

Paris bound David Beckham could join PSG after leaving LA Galaxy

Paris bound David Beckham could join PSG after leaving LA Galaxy

Carlo Ancelotti to be named PSG manager

Posted on by

Ancelotti to be confirmed as PSG boss before weighing up move for Beckham

Paris St Germain have called a press conference for Friday amid widespread reports Carlo Ancelotti is set to be appointed as their new coach.

Ancelotti was pictured with PSG officials in the French capital on Wednesdsy as speculation grew he was on the verge of signing a two-and-a-half year contract to replace Antoine Kombouare.

That would mean a return to the touchline for the Italian for the first time since he was sacked as Chelsea boss in May.

Next stop: Carlo Ancelotti leaves the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris

Next stop: Carlo Ancelotti leaves the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris

A PSG statement today read: “A press conference will be held this Friday, December 30 at the Parc des Princes at 3pm.”

A deal that has taken some time to put together has been complicated by the fact Kombouare had yet to be sacked by PSG, who revealed last week they were in discussion with the 48-year-old regarding his future.

Kombouare”s place at the helm has constantly been the centre of scrutiny this season despite leading them to the top of the Ligue 1 table at the winter break.

Sacked: Antoine Kombouare was dismissed despite PSG

Sacked: Antoine Kombouare was dismissed despite PSG”s league position

Kombouare oversaw a premature Europa League exit at the group stage, however, and the club”s ambitious new Qatari owners have sought to reinvigorate the capital club with high-profile names.

Ancelotti, 52, fits that bill and a deal would seem imminent after he was pictured in today”s Le Parisien newspaper meeting PSG sporting director Leonardo at the Parc des Princes last night.

Further pictures of him emerged on Thursday, apparently entering a Paris hospital.

Paris bound David Beckham could join PSG after leaving LA Galaxy

Paris bound David Beckham could join PSG after leaving LA Galaxy

The former AC Milan boss could also be joined by David Beckham, who he coached briefly at the Italian club during his first loan spell at the San Siro, in the coming days.

PSG are reportedly close to completing a deal to sign the former England skipper once his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy expires at the end of the month.

Ancelotti won a league and cup double with Chelsea in his first season in charge before he was sacked at the end of last season despite finishing second.

The Italian was also a two-time Champions League winner during his decade-long spell at Milan.

Tottenham to offer Qatari Airways stadium naming rights

Posted on by

Tottenham eye Qatari Airways cash to help fund 400m stadium project

Tottenham have lined up Qatari Airways as potential sponsors for the new stadium the club want to build adjacent to White Hart Lane.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy reiterated his desire to stay in the area at the club”s recent AGM and has now identified the airline, owned by the Qatari royal family, to put their name to the deal.

The north London club need 400million to build the Northumberland Project Development – a 55,000-seater arena sited next to their current home.

Name in lights: Spurs hope to tempt the Qatari royal family to inject some cash into their new stadium

Name in lights: Spurs hope to tempt the Qatari royal family to inject some cash into their new stadium

Levy has made it clear, however, that Tottenham require substantial private and public funding before the project can be given the green light.

The club will de-list from the Alternative Investment Market in January as part of a plan to encourage investors to back the scheme which is hoped will put the club on an equal financial footing as Europe’s elite, according to the Telegraph.

The Qatar Foundation currently sponsor Barcelona”s shirts but the recent purchase of Paris St-Germain means they cannot buy more than 25 per cent of another club in European competition, according to UEFA regulations.

On the club”s decision to become a privately owned company again. Levy said: “Football clubs should not be public companies. It is not a business model the institutions are interested in.”

Time to move on: Tottenham have outgrown their current home

Time to move on: Tottenham have outgrown their current home

When asked what would happen if there was a plan B if the full funding was not found, Levy replied: “There is no (other) option or time limit. We will find a way to make it happen.

“I am absolutely determined to bring a new stadium to Tottenham.”