Qatar 'not interested' in buying SPL club Hearts

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond tried to persuade the royal family of Qatar to buy SPL football club Hearts, it was reported on Sunday.

The First Minister’s bid to find new owners for the cash-strapped Edinburgh club failed after Qatar’s rulers said they had “no interest in investing in Scottish football”, Scotland's Daily Record reported.

It said that Salmond, a fan of Hearts, held informal talks with Qatar's emir and prime minister, as well as Qatar Holding.

The paper said in a letter to Hearts chairman Lord Foulkes, Salmond wrote: “I raised the matter informally with the Emir and the prime minister of Qatar. It was also discussed with officials from Qatar Holdings.

“Unfortunately, it was made clear Qatar has no interest in investing in a Scottish football club at this time.”

Qatar Investment Authority last May bought 70 percent of the French club Paris St Germain in a deal reportedly worth up to $57m.

The Qatar sovereign wealth fund also owns a string of trophy assets including the luxury department store Harrods in London.