In a week when Arsenal were linked (and subsequently unlinked) with a takeover by a consortium from the Middle East, another Qatari owned-club is preparing for what could well turn out to be their final European game for quite some time.
La Liga side Malaga CF host FC Porto on Wednesday with a chance of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time ever after a 1 – 0 defeat in Portugal three weeks. But it could also be the Spanish side's last appearance in Europe for quite some time.
Despite being owned by billionaire Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani, UEFA has banned Malaga from European competition for at least one season over unpaid bills – even though they offloaded the likes of Santi Cazorla, Nacho Monreal and Joris Mathijsen to raise funds.
Extravagantly wealthy, Al-Thani could sort out the club’s financial issues with one click of his fingers. That he seems unwilling, unable or both raises a plethora of questions about his true motives.
Heavy investment
After purchasing the Costa Del Sol club for €36 million in July 2010, Al Thani invested heavily in the initial phases, shelling out for Cazorla, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Jeremy Toulalan and Martin Demichelis as well as installing ex-Villareal and Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini on the touchline. Al Thani also invested in a new academy.
His stated aim was to reach the Champions League and to ultimately provide a competent challenge to the domestic duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
And Al Thani achieved that first objective within two years as Malaga finished fourth – the club’s highest ever placing – thereby obtaining Champions League football for 2012/13.
But by that time the cash had dried up and players were not receiving their wages. Malaga were the only club which failed to spend a single penny during the summer window, instead opting to sell its marquee players – a far cry from the ambition shown in the summer of 2010.
When Al Thani purchased the club he also reportedly intended to finance the construction of a resort complex in nearby Marbella which would include a luxury hotel, shopping centre, luxury marina and new stadium.
Lose interest
But that project ground to an abrupt halt months ago, around the time that Al Thani seemed to lose interest in his football activities. Andalusia’s Port Authority (APPA) which must give the go-ahead for the multi-million development, has threatened to terminate the agreement with the Qatari Sheikh if certain conditions are not met by the end of April. The billionaire was also frustrated by the Spanish Federation to change its TV rights model which heavily favours the big two under its current format.
All in all the signs do not look good for Malaga unless Al Thani can find a buyer for the club. Malaga’s travails should serve as a warning to clubs which may be tempted by petrodollars.
The spectre of the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar – which has no football tradition, never mind qualifying for a global tournament – looms large as Qatari business has been determined to make inroads and increase their influence into European football as they prepare to host the tournament in just under a decade.
But for every PSG and Manchester City, there could be a Malaga.
