FIFA chief voices fears over foreign investors

FOREIGN FEARS: FIFA president Sepp Blatter. (AFP)

Sepp Blatter has expressed his concern over the influx of foreign investors snapping up English Premier League clubs.

"There's danger," FIFA's president warned the media at the European Parliament on Monday.

"These people arrive, buy the clubs but they can leave at any moment. That creates a risk of instability for these teams and the competition as a whole.

"Ideally a way should be found for clubs to be financed by local investors.

"There should also be a control of these clubs' finances. But I don't have a miracle remedy. It's an important topic for discussion that we should have with UEFA (European football's governing body)."

But while voicing his concern, Blatter said the arrival of buyers from the Middle East (Manchester City), Russia (Chelsea) and the United States (Manchester United, Liverpool), was only to be expected.

"It's a logical phenomenon," he explained. "The Premier League is the most attractive championship. You see English football on television all around the world. there's an immense market."

This season only eight of the 20 clubs in the Premier League are in English hands.

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