Fans Group Says Any New Manchester United Owner Must Respect 'Rights Of All People'

One of Manchester United's leading supporters' groups warned Sunday against a takeover of the club emerging from a country where same-sex relationships are illegal. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has promised a debt-free bid for the English football giants, while rumours persist of a possible Saudi Arabia takeover of the English football giants, put up for sale by its controversial US-based owners, the Glazer family. Sheikh Jassim's only publicly declared rival bidder for the Red Devils is Jim Ratcliffe.

Born in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, the 70-year-old Ratcliffe is one of Britain's wealthiest people, with an estimated net worth of £12.5 billion ($15 billion) following the success of INEOS, his global chemical company.

But his firm's ownership of French Ligue 1 club Nice has also caused unease among United fans.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust, echoing concerns expressed by the the LGBTQ+ supporters' group the Rainbow Devils, said Sunday: "There are questions about sporting integrity given the exceptionally close links between some bidders and the owners of other European clubs including PSG and Nice."

Calling for all bidders to "open a dialogue" with fans groups, MUST's statement added: "We also note the importance that any owner respects the rights of all people, particularly women and the LGBTQ+ community. Concerns have been raised by other fans groups which we fully support."

Opinions among United supporters spoken to by AFP at Old Trafford before a 3-0 win at home to Leicester that left their side third in the Premier League table were divided, with IT worker Darren O'Donough saying: "I suppose I like the fact that Jim Ratcliffe is Manchester, he's Manchester born and bred.

"But the