Man Utd takeover: Fans protest against potential Qatari ownership
Manchester United fans will display a banner protesting against potential Qatari ownership of the club during their Premier League clash with Southampton.
Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is one of two prospective bidders looking to take over at Manchester United, with Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, head of INEOS, also being a major contender.
The former's bid has sparked controversy due to the potentially becoming state-owned in the way that Manchester City, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain currently are. Issues with the club becoming state-owned are largely derived from the issues with human rights in Qatar.
Due to these concerns, Man Utd fans from a local Amnesty International group were keen to make their voices heard during their club's clash with Southampton, and will unfurl a banner which reads: "No Qatari sportswashing at United!"
READ NEXT
manual
Organiser of the protest Kathryn Fletcher, speaking to the Independent, explained her reasons for protesting, stating: "I’m part of a group of United fans who are deeply concerned about a Qatari takeover of our club.
"Manchester United’s charter says suppliers must not use forced labour and must practice ‘universal respect for human rights and freedoms for all, without discrimination of age, disability, gender or sexual orientation’ - how is this compatible with Qatari ownership?
"The Premier League should step in to ensure integrity in the governance of the league’s football clubs - it shouldn’t be left to fans to oppose takeovers by owners who may be linked to serious human rights abuses."