Sports

British billionaire moves to buy Man United

Published

4 years ago

August 19, 2022

Advocate News Nigeria

Spread the love

A British billionaire, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has shown interest to buy Manchester United.

News of the 69-year-old’s interest follows a Bloomberg report that the Glazer family are willing to sell a minority stake in the club.

“If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer,” Ratcliffe’s spokesperson told The Times, the BBC Sport reports.

“If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership.”

United, 20-time English champions, are bottom of the Premier League after losing both their opening games of the season under new manager Erik Hag.

The woeful start has intensified criticism of the Glazers and their perceived lack of investment in the team.

This summer has seen new signings fail to materialise, including a fruitless pursuit of Barcelona’s Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, while superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Old Trafford.

The club has struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and has not won a trophy since 2017.

There have been multiple protests against the Glazers’ ownership in recent years, including one in May 2021 which caused the Red Devils’ home league match against Liverpool to be postponed.

Man United fans are planning another protest against the American family during their latest meeting with their Anfield rivals on Monday at Old Trafford.

Lancashire-born Ratcliffe, the majority shareholder of chemical group Ineos, is a boyhood fan of the club. He also owns French side Nice, Swiss club Lausanne-Sport and Ineos Grenadiers cycling team, while Ineos has a partnership with the Mercedes F1 team.

“This is not about the money that has been spent or not spent,” the spokesperson added. “Jim is looking at what can be done now and, knowing how important the club is to the city, it feels like the time is right for a reset.”

Man United Supporters’ Trust cautiously welcomed the interest from Ratcliffe but said a takeover would need the support of fans.

A MUST spokesperson told the BBC Sport: “While supporters have called for change, this of course has to be the right change.

“Any prospective new owner has to be committed to the culture, ethos and best traditions of the club. They have to be willing to invest to restore United to former glories, and that investment must be real new money spent on the playing side and the stadium.

“Finally, any new ownership structure must embed supporters, including a degree of fan share ownership, in their operating model.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, said he was joking after tweeting he was going to buy the Man United.

Billionaire Musk, 51, is reported to have a net worth of $270bn (£223bn) according to Forbes, while Ratcliffe is worth an estimated $16.3bn (£13.5bn).

In May, Ratcliffe made an unsuccessful £4.25bn offer to buy Chelsea after owner Roman Abramovich put the London club up for sale.

At the time, Ratcliffe told BBC Sport he was still a Man United fan and the reason he was not bidding for the Red Devils is because they were not for sale.

Sports

U.S. President Trump: Iran should skip World Cup ‘for their safety’

Published

1 month ago

March 13, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as he receives the FIFA Peace Prize during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Spread the love

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the Iran national soccer team is “welcome” to compete at the FIFA World Cup in the United States, but advised the team not to participate for “their own life and safety.”

Trump wrote on the social media site Truth Social: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Iran, one of 48 teams in the tournament, is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.

On Wednesday, the Iranian sports minister said that Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup following airstrikes against the country by the United States and Israel.

“Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali reportedly told Iranian state television.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the first day of attacks. He has since been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Trump’s message appears to depart somewhat from what the Republican president relayed Tuesday at the White House to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who later publicly said that Trump assured him the Iranian players and coaches would be welcome.

Infantino had subsequently posted on social media Wednesday that Trump had assured him Iran would be “welcome” to compete.

A White House official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations, had confirmed Trump’s message to Infantino about Iran’s participation.

On Thursday, the White House did not immediately clarify what Trump meant by “their own life and safety,” such as whether he anticipated threats against them while in the United States after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that began Feb. 28.

The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

Since June, Iran has been subject to a travel ban into the U.S. as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. But athletes and coaches from the target nations are exempt, which means the Iranian team would be allowed to enter the U.S.

News

Senegal defeat Morocco to clinch second AFCON title

Published

3 months ago

January 18, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Senegal’s midfielder #26 Pape Gueye celebrates his goal with teammates during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football match between Senegal and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Spread the love

Senegal on Sunday night defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, in a match marred by controversy, prolonged stoppages and players briefly leaving the pitch.

The dramatic final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was interrupted late in regulation time after a contentious penalty decision awarded to Morocco following a VAR review, sparking protests from Senegal players.

The penalty, awarded deep into stoppage time, led to chaotic scenes as Senegal players surrounded the referee, with play halted for several minutes.

Players from both teams eventually walked off the pitch before returning after intervention by match officials and security personnel.

So This Happened [EP 255] reviews Davido and…

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, with Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saving his attempted Panenka, further escalating tensions inside the stadium.

After regulation time ended goalless, the match proceeded to extra time amid a charged atmosphere. Senegal took the lead in the 94th minute when Pape Gueye struck a powerful long-range effort into the top corner.

Morocco pushed for an equaliser, hitting the crossbar and forcing late saves, but Senegal held on to secure victory in a final that saw extended delays, heated exchanges and repeated VAR interventions.

The match lasted well beyond the scheduled time due to stoppages caused by protests, referee consultations, and crowd unrest.

Senegal’s win crowned them African champions after one of the most dramatic and controversial finals in recent AFCON history, played before a packed home crowd in Rabat.

News

AFCON 2025: Morocco beat Nigeria 4–2 on penalties to face Senegal in final

Published

3 months ago

January 15, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Morocco's forward #10 Brahim Diaz celebrates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final football match between Nigeria and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat on January 14, 2026. Photo: AFP

Spread the love

Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday lost 4–2 in a penalty shootout to host nation Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense 0–0 draw at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The semi-final was an evenly contested affair over 120 minutes, with Morocco dominating much of the attacking play, registering 16 shots to Nigeria’s 2.

Both sides created chances, but Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou kept their teams in the game with key saves.

Star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman struggled to influence the match, and their efforts in extra time were thwarted by the hosts’ defence and goalkeeper.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was superb at right-back, as was his counterpart on the left side, Noussair Mazraoui.

Both played prominent roles in the attack, keeping pressure on Nigeria while also limiting the impact of the Super Eagles’ attackers.

The Atlas Lions held their nerve in the shootout, with En-Nesyri converting the decisive penalty to send the home team into the final.

Nigeria’s hopes were dashed when Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyamaechi failed to convert, giving Morocco a 4–2 shootout victory.

Both Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored, while Chukwueze missed, and Onyamaechi’s attempt was saved.

Morocco will now face Senegal in Sunday’s final, aiming to claim only their second AFCON title, following their last triumph in 1976.

Nigeria will contest third place on Saturday with Egypt, who lost 1–0 to Senegal earlier on Wednesday.