Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Casado Quashes Malaga Takeover Talk


Cash-strapped Malaga have denied reports suggesting Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), who own Paris St Germain, are planning to take them over.

QSI are owned by Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Crown Prince of Qatar, while the prince’s cousin, Abdullah ben Nasser Al-Thani, owns Betfair La Liga odds favourites, Malaga.

Both PSG and Malaga have won through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League but, while the French side have the funds to tempt the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Beckham and Thiago Silva to Paris, the La Liga side appear to be lurching from one crisis to the next.

However, Malaga's director general, Vicente Casado, has moved quickly to refute the latest rumours, saying: "I categorically deny that there has been an offer to buy the club. I have had a commitment from the owner and am optimistic about the future.”

Meanwhile, Casado expects Malaga will be successful in their bid to have a ban from European competitions overturned.

Three months ago, UEFA suspended the Andalusians from European competition for any season in the next four years in which they qualify.

They also face that ban being extended by two years should they fail to meet a deadline of 31st March to fulfil payments of salaries and taxes, and wipe out a debt estimated at €30million.

Malaga have appealed to the Court of Arbitration of Sport against the decision, and Casado insists: “We are very optimistic. We have met with our obligations and we will prove it.” It is anticipated that Malaga’s hearing will take place on 14th May.

Malaga continue to do well on the pitch, against all odds. Manuel Pellegrini’s side face Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals of this season's Champions League and are currently sixth in the La Liga table, having lost only eight of their 28 fixtures.

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