Saudi Arabia withdraws from bidding for the 2030 World Cup. They for a long time seemed to be fully committed to the cause. The country does not think it has a chance against Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Saudi Arabia suddenly withdraws as a contender for the 2030 World Cup
Marca, AS and RMC Sport report this. Saudi Arabia is now not focusing on the 2030 World Cup, but that of 2034. Saudi Arabia hoped to win the 2030 World Cup together with Greece and Egypt. It now appears that the latter countries have shifted their focus to other matters and that is why Saudi Arabia thinks it has little chance on its own. Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud has informed Greece and Egypt of this.
In any case, what Saudi Arabia is doing in the transfer field is rock solid. The clubs entice big players with mega salaries to boost football in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, it is marketing for the World Cup, which must be held in that country in the foreseeable future.
Chelsea owner Boehly expands empire: bought French club
Speaking of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) had invested heavily in Clearlake Capital, the firm that owns Chelsea. Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have been looking for suitable clubs to start the ‘multi-club project’ for some time. The owners of Chelsea have bought the French club Strasbourg.
It is not known exactly how many shares Chelsea bought, but the club is said to be almost wholly owned. In France it is claimed that the English club paid 75 million euros for it. The share in Strasbourg ultimately turns out to be a lot larger than previously outlined in various media.
It was expected that Chelsea would only be able to get a minority share, but the club thus becomes almost wholly owned. “It’s an honor to be part of this historic club,” said BlueCo, the consortium that bought Chelsea. ‘We see enormous opportunities to share our knowledge and expertise.”
Initially, Chelsea owner Boehly had set his sights on another French club: Bordeaux. He was unable to reach an agreement with the president of that club, Gérard López.
