Manchester United supporters’ group voices concerns over Qatari bid for club

The Manchester United Supporters Trust (Must) has voiced concerns over Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani’s proposed purchase of the club due to Qatar’s human rights policy, especially in regards to women and the LGBTQ+ community.

Thani, the chairman of QIB, a Qatari bank, tabled a minimum £4bn bid for United on Friday via his Nine Two Foundation, which led to United’s LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, the Rainbow Devils, raising “deep concern” over a possible takeover from a fund linked to Qatar given same-sex relationships are criminalised there. Must has shown support for that stance via a statement that also made clear its unease with Thani’s bid given the ownership of Paris Saint-Germain by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI). That part of Must’s statement, touching on “sporting integrity”, equally relates to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire who also wishes to buy United and via his company, Ineos, owns Ligue 1 side Nice.

Sign up to Football Daily

Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football

after newsletter promotion

“We 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,” read the statement, which was released during United’s 3-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday afternoon, a result that moves Erik ten Hag’s side within three points of second-placed Manchester City. “There are questions about sporting integrity given the exceptionally close links between some bidders and the owners of other European clubs including PSG [Paris Saint-Germain] and Nice. We urge all bidders to open a dialogue with fans groups alongside the bidding process with the club, in order to discuss