Ahmed takes 60% stake in 'leading English football club’

SULAIMAN AL-FAHIM: Ex-Hydra Properties CEO now in the process of buying Portsmouth F.C. (Getty Images)

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Customs and Seaports, has acquired 60 percent of an unnamed leading Premier League football club.

Sheikh Ahmed will become honorary chairman of the club, news agency WAM reported on Sunday.

Further details about the deal are expected to be announced at a press conference in the next few days.

On May 27 property tycoon Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim announced that he had signed a deal to take over English Premier League club Portsmouth F.C.

Dr Fahim was replaced last week as CEO of Hydra Properties, although he will be become a member of that company’s board of directors.

The UAE businessman attended the Champions League Final in Rome as a guest of the current Portsmouth FC owner Alexandre Gaydamak, where the two men put the final touches to the takeover.

Meanwhile, last week former Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, denied any involvement in the takeover of Portsmouth FC.

Responding to media reports in the UK, he gave his clearest explanation of his involvement with new Portsmouth owner Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim - telling Arabian Business: ''I have nothing to do with Portsmouth FC in any shape or form. It isn’t me, it never has been. You’ve got the wrong guy.''

Last year, the UAE, through Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, bought a majority share in Premiership club, Manchester City.

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