'Our identity is at stake' - Manchester United fan group sends clear Sheikh Jassim takeover message
manchestereveningnews.co.ukUnited Against Sportswashing, an independent group of Manchester United supporters opposing a potential takeover by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, are calling on Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to condemn the Nine Two Foundation bid due to the state of Qatar's well-documented human rights abuses.
The group believes United's identity is at stake and are writing to key figures asking them to sign an open letter calling for a Sheikh Jassim-led takeover to be blocked.
United Against Sportswashing (UAS) are also asking Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, the Football Association and the Governmentto stop any sale from proceeding.
The group, founded in February, describe themselves as long-term fans and joined forces with Newcastle United group NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing ahead of last weekend's match with the Magpies, a club majority owned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, to call for a ban on the sale of clubs to states committing human rights abuses. READ MORE: Senior UK Government officials flag Sheikh Jassim 'concerns' Premier League clubs recently approved amendments to the owners’ and directors’ test which would bar anyone found to have committed human rights abuses from owning a club based on the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations, but it is claimed this would not hinder Sheikh Jassim.
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