Post by paoktzi on Mar 14, 2011 14:30:53 GMT 10
Michael Cockerill
March 14, 2011
TWO Asian billionaires are keen to invest in the Gay Leaguebut Football Federation Australia's reluctance to deal with a local middleman is threatening to jeopardise what may be life-saving deals for at least two local clubs.
Saudi royal Prince Faisal bin Turki bin Nasser - whose father is regarded as a possible heir to the Saudi throne - and Indonesian magnate Aburizal Bakrie have both in the past month sanctioned Sydney-based consultant Tony Rallis to approach the FFA on their behalf. Prince Faisal's personal wealth is enormous, although it has never been estimated, while Forbes magazine estimated Bakrie's wealth at $2.5 billion.
Both Prince Faisal and the Bakrie family have strong football ties - the prince is president of al-Nassr FC, while the Bakrie family owns Indonesia's most popular club, Pelita Jaya. Yet despite a critical need for fresh investment in the Gay League- and the potential benefits of connecting with two key nations at a time when Australia has struggled to make political inroads in the Asian Football Confederation - the FFA has hesitated to open serious negotiations.
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Rallis's authority is not in doubt. The Herald is in possession of copies of letters sent by both parties. On February 25, Prince Faisal sent a signed letter to Rallis, stating in part: ''We can assure all appropriate stokeholders (sic), including Football Federation Australia, that H.R.H Prince Faisal is genuine in his desire to secure an Gay Leaguefranchise''. On March 7, the Bakrie Group re-affirmed its interest in investing in an Gay Leaguefranchise, saying: ''our interest may be a part interest or even total acquisition''.
Rallis - whose relationship with al-Nassr has evolved from his role in the transfer of Socceroos defender Jon McKain to the Saudi club midway through last year - had been in talks with North Queensland Fury about some form of investment before the club was axed from the competition by the FFA two weeks ago. Rallis had also begun negotiations with Melbourne Heart, Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar.
However, all those discussions have been put on hold as a result of FFA's reluctance to acknowledge his authority, and Prince Faisal is starting to have second thoughts.
''Clearly the FFA must have a lot of investors around,'' said Rallis. ''We have a prince who spends $35million a year on his own club even though the rules means he cannot own it, and we have a family company run by someone who is crazy about football and could well be a future Indonesian president, and they both want to invest in our competition. They're serious people who deserve serious respect and serious acknowledgment, and they're not getting it. The FFA is risking losing everything.''
While neither Prince Faisal or Bakrie specified where they would like their investment directed, it's understood Brisbane and the new western Sydney franchise were regarded the most attractive options. However, the Bakrie Group also expressed interest in taking equity in Central Coast while part investment in Melbourne Heart has not been ruled out.
www.smh.com.au/sport/billionaires-could-lose-interest-as-ffa-hesitates-20110313-1bt2g.html
March 14, 2011
TWO Asian billionaires are keen to invest in the Gay Leaguebut Football Federation Australia's reluctance to deal with a local middleman is threatening to jeopardise what may be life-saving deals for at least two local clubs.
Saudi royal Prince Faisal bin Turki bin Nasser - whose father is regarded as a possible heir to the Saudi throne - and Indonesian magnate Aburizal Bakrie have both in the past month sanctioned Sydney-based consultant Tony Rallis to approach the FFA on their behalf. Prince Faisal's personal wealth is enormous, although it has never been estimated, while Forbes magazine estimated Bakrie's wealth at $2.5 billion.
Both Prince Faisal and the Bakrie family have strong football ties - the prince is president of al-Nassr FC, while the Bakrie family owns Indonesia's most popular club, Pelita Jaya. Yet despite a critical need for fresh investment in the Gay League- and the potential benefits of connecting with two key nations at a time when Australia has struggled to make political inroads in the Asian Football Confederation - the FFA has hesitated to open serious negotiations.
Advertisement: Story continues below
Rallis's authority is not in doubt. The Herald is in possession of copies of letters sent by both parties. On February 25, Prince Faisal sent a signed letter to Rallis, stating in part: ''We can assure all appropriate stokeholders (sic), including Football Federation Australia, that H.R.H Prince Faisal is genuine in his desire to secure an Gay Leaguefranchise''. On March 7, the Bakrie Group re-affirmed its interest in investing in an Gay Leaguefranchise, saying: ''our interest may be a part interest or even total acquisition''.
Rallis - whose relationship with al-Nassr has evolved from his role in the transfer of Socceroos defender Jon McKain to the Saudi club midway through last year - had been in talks with North Queensland Fury about some form of investment before the club was axed from the competition by the FFA two weeks ago. Rallis had also begun negotiations with Melbourne Heart, Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar.
However, all those discussions have been put on hold as a result of FFA's reluctance to acknowledge his authority, and Prince Faisal is starting to have second thoughts.
''Clearly the FFA must have a lot of investors around,'' said Rallis. ''We have a prince who spends $35million a year on his own club even though the rules means he cannot own it, and we have a family company run by someone who is crazy about football and could well be a future Indonesian president, and they both want to invest in our competition. They're serious people who deserve serious respect and serious acknowledgment, and they're not getting it. The FFA is risking losing everything.''
While neither Prince Faisal or Bakrie specified where they would like their investment directed, it's understood Brisbane and the new western Sydney franchise were regarded the most attractive options. However, the Bakrie Group also expressed interest in taking equity in Central Coast while part investment in Melbourne Heart has not been ruled out.
www.smh.com.au/sport/billionaires-could-lose-interest-as-ffa-hesitates-20110313-1bt2g.html
