Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THE involvement of the Middle East in the highest level of European football was strengthened this week with the announcement by the Royal Emirates Group that they had purchased struggling Spanish outfit, Getafe.
While this statement was subsequently refuted by Getafe's president, Angel Torre, the deal is expected to be finalised within the next week.
Getafe Team Dubai, as they will be known, have been purchased for 'between 70-90 million Euros' by the Dubai investment group chaired by Shaikh Butti bin Suhail Al Maktoum, a member of the UAE ruling family.
Getafe is a small suburb in Madrid, located nearby the Bernabeu, home of the city's most famous team, Real Madrid. Founded in 1945 Getafe is the least well-supported team in the league and currently languish in 14th position.
However, this latest investment is expected to see a massive increase in their transfer budget. The relationship with the UAE is also expected to pave the way for Arab nationals to ply their trade against some of the world's elite.
While Emirates led the way with their sponsorship of Arsenal and Qatar Foundation attained sponsorship of Barcelona, it is the ownership of clubs that makes the difference. The high-profile ownership of Manchester City requires no introduction. However, it is the 'value' acquisitions in the Spanish league that now raise an eyebrow or two.
Two other Spanish clubs have recently been bought by investors from the Gulf region. In May 2010, Qatari billionaire Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani bought Malaga for 25m Euros, while controversial Bahrain-based Indian Ahsan Ali Syed, having failed to purchase Blackburn Rovers in the English Premiership, bought debt-hit Racing Santander in January for a reported 30m Euros.
A final tip for all those out there who get nagged whenever their annual review comes around - take a tip from German superstar, Miroslavn Klose, who has handed-over such negotiations to his wife by making her his agent! What better way to avoid an ear-bashing than by passing over responsibility!
