By David Gold
March 7 – Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), who bought 70 per cent of Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain last summer, has purchased the remaining shares in the company from Colony Capital.
The French website Wansquare broke the news, and news agencies have since confirmed the reports.
QSI’s takeover of PSG last year came as Al Jazeera purchased Ligue 1 television rights, cementing Qatar’s increasing role in French football.
The original takeover and purchase of 70 per cent of club shares was estimated as being between €30 and €40 million (£25-33 million/$39-54 million).
Qatar’s growing football presence, underlined when they won the right to host the World Cup in 2022, is also emphasised by the Qatar Foundation’s sponsorship of European champions Barcelona.
Another La Liga side, Malaga, are also owned by a member of the Qatari royal family.
It is the investment in PSG which has been arguably the most significant move Qatar has made into European club football.
Paris’ status as the only major European capital city with only one main football team also gives PSG a unique potential to become a major continental force.
Last summer the Parisians went on the biggest spending spree in Europe, investing approximately €80 million (£67 million/$105 million) in their squad, signing players such as Argentine star Javier Pastore (pictured), and French nationals Jérémy Ménez and Blaise Matuidi.
Despite leading the French league at the half way stage of the season for the first time in 15 years, manager Antoine Kombouaré was fired at the start of the winter break.
He was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti, who has made further signings but initially struggled to replicate the same form they showed under Kombouaré.
After his slow start, they have begun to score more regularly in recent weeks and are battling with surprise package Montpellier for the Ligue 1 title.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734790929labto1734790929ofdlr1734790929owedi1734790929sni@d1734790929log.d1734790929ivad1734790929
Related stories
November 2011: Sarkozy’s secret meetings to encourage Qatari investment in PSG
June 2011: Qatari investors purchase 70 per cent of Paris St. Germain