Latest news with #Al-Khelaifi
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How PSG's ‘kingmaker' seized chance to reshape football's future
If you are one of the UK's many new padel enthusiasts, it's ultimately because of one man, who you might not expect. He is going to be prominent at Saturday's Champions League final, and has already appeared in a social media-friendly CBS interview with Micah Richards after the semi-final. That is Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. A former tennis professional, he saw the potential in padel, and put Qatar's immense financial weight behind the new sport. Qatar Sports Investments, who also own PSG, control Premier Padel and the World Padel Tour. Advertisement The world's fastest-growing sport feels like a curious place to start a discussion about the world's most popular sport, and its biggest club game, but there is a point. Those who know Al-Khelaifi say he 'sees around corners, picks opportunities'. That has definitely been the case with padel, but it has arguably been most visible with European football, and what happened after the Super League and sparked a secret 'war' for European football's future. Numerous sources insist PSG were involved right up until 'the last minute'. They counter that they were never members, and Al-Khelaifi had a principled opposition. A huge opportunity was nevertheless seized. While Qatar have managed to get in on the ground floor with padel, they have gradually made it to the top of the European club game. Advertisement The resignations from the European Club Association (ECA) that followed the Super League allowed Al-Khelaifi to rise to the chair of that organisation, even if those close to him insist he rejected requests to fill that role for three days after that April 2021 crisis. Al-Khelaifi has still run with it since. The ECA, which grew from the big clubs' 'G14' and now represents all those in European competition, has drastically expanded in scale and influence. It is much more than a lobby group. The ECA has established a joint venture with Uefa, called UC3, where they both have 50-50 of the Champions League. This control is what the big clubs always wanted, right through the talks that led to the Super League. Ousmane Dembele has led Paris Saint-Germain's attack this season (Getty) Marquinhos has been a mainstay of PSG over the years (AP) And who is at the top? An official whose ultimate responsibility is to the Emir of Qatar. Rival executives have questioned whether this is appropriate for the European game. LaLiga's Javier Tebas is one of many to criticise Al-Khelaifi's 'conflict of interests', given he also runs a major broadcaster in the form of BeIn Sport. Advertisement It is why this weekend may not just crown PSG's final rise as a club, to get what Qatar always wanted, in the Champions League itself. The trophy arriving in a first full season of the new format may also symbolically complete Al-Khelaifi's own rise, as well as the evolution of the competition into something more. The point has already been stressed about how this might just be the Super League by another name, with Uefa's approval, driven by greater powers. The opening stage is now literally a 'super league', given that it features 36 teams and runs parallel to domestic competitions. The absurd entry of six English clubs next season is almost too brazen, given the original plans. Both Uefa and the ECA have nevertheless been keen to celebrate the new format's success. There is delight at how CBS had a record audience for a non-final game with Inter Milan v Barcelona. That isn't really down to any change, though. It's merely the old-fashioned jeopardy of true knock-out football, that can't be engineered. Either way, the next stage is to really capitalise on this American popularity. Uefa and the ECA have gone into partnership with US agency Relevent, whose speciality is big games in the States. That isn't necessarily about finals in New York, however, but maximising 'fan engagement' with new ideas and increasing revenues by 10-20 per cent. Supporter groups like the FSA would see that as 'entertainment elements' like pre-game shows that they would actively oppose. Who actually wants it? Paris Saint Germain's Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi is head of the ECA, which has become the 'Kingmaker' (AFP via Getty Images) His power is growing and could be boosted by Champions League success for PSG this weekend (AFP via Getty Images) Al-Khelaifi is otherwise described, approvingly, as someone who 'drives change'. He is very hard working, with a ferocious temper, but has a charm. That has worked well, given a lot of rival executives say he isn't especially liked. The European football structure has certainly changed. Advertisement Under the Qatari, the ECA has almost become a third major institution alongside Fifa and Uefa. Al-Khelaifi is very close to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, and has a good relationship with Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino. Insiders even describe this ECA as 'a kingmaker'. If there's a dispute, the side they take usually wins. The body was crucial to the Club World Cup getting off the ground. 'They are pulling levers without people even realising,' one senior source says. Such politics are intriguing in light of the recent row about Infantino's late arrival at the Fifa Congress in Paraguay, and how quickly Uefa anger was quelled with a conciliatory statement. Some insiders insist this is all consistent with what reformers have called for. European courts are now taking a dim view on Fifa and Uefa serving as both regulators and competition organisers with commercial interests. Advertisement This ECA-led system dilutes that – but should it be at the behest of bigger clubs, and bigger powers? The ECA would point to their expanded membership, how everything is democratically run, and that Al-Khelaifi's leadership pushed the Europa Conference League. The Qatari himself is said to want the ECA to be more recognised as a brand, in terms of the good work it does in terms of legal and financial services to clubs, as well as the women's game. Critics would say the Union of European Clubs had to be established to give scores of affected clubs a voice, that numerous domestic leagues are fearing for their financial futures, and that they can't trust the ECA to consider the whole ecosystem. Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi (EPA) QSI's takeover of PSG led to the club taking a financial stranglehold of Ligue 1 in the years that followed (AFP/Getty) That ecosystem is increasingly shaped by the positioning for the next land grab, which is in that burgeoning US soccer market, and what happens next with streaming. Advertisement That's where some attuned figures also see a new era. Much has been made of the Premier League no longer having a real rival, but there is a fear that is exactly what the ECA want the Champions League to be – and eventually to play on weekends. Those on the European side literally laugh about such complaints, given the Premier League's own status as a super league. At the same time, major continental club executives actively want to make English clubs weaker while building something of their own. That might be logical, and necessary, but it also illustrates one of modern football's endless arms races. Premier League clubs talk of consequently having to go bolder and more global. So much of this still comes back to these persistent modern themes, how football is looked at as a commodity to be used, rather than a cultural good. It's why the nature of leadership is so crucial. Advertisement The Champions League has certainly led the way in the 'financialisation' of football, where virtually everything is looked at in monetary terms. You only had to watch the Europa League final or the Premier League's last day. Paris Saint-Germain fans celebrate victory with flares after the final whistle in the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal (PA) PSG fans celebrate in the streets of Paris (The Associated Press) At the centre of that is the ECA, headed by PSG's Qatari president, whose state primarily see political value in the game. 'People do think that is outrageous,' one source says. 'If you're Qatar, you'd say he's a genius. He's a major governance figure, Qatar Airways a main sponsor.' Qatar's club may now win the Champions League. It didn't even take a game of padel for networking.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How PSG's ‘kingmaker' seized chance to reshape football's future
If you are one of the UK's many new padel enthusiasts, it's ultimately because of one man, who you might not expect. He is going to be prominent at Saturday's Champions League final, and has already appeared in a social media-friendly CBS interview with Micah Richards after the semi-final. That is Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. A former tennis professional, he saw the potential in padel, and put Qatar's immense financial weight behind the new sport. Qatar Sports Investments, who also own PSG, control Premier Padel and the World Padel Tour. The world's fastest-growing sport feels like a curious place to start a discussion about the world's most popular sport, and its biggest club game, but there is a point. Those who know Al-Khelaifi say he 'sees around corners, picks opportunities'. That has definitely been the case with padel, but it has arguably been most visible with European football, and what happened after the Super League and sparked a secret 'war' for European football's future. Numerous sources insist PSG were involved right up until 'the last minute'. They counter that they were never members, and Al-Khelaifi had a principled opposition. A huge opportunity was nevertheless seized. While Qatar have managed to get in on the ground floor with padel, they have gradually made it to the top of the European club game. The resignations from the European Club Association (ECA) that followed the Super League allowed Al-Khelaifi to rise to the chair of that organisation, even if those close to him insist he rejected requests to fill that role for three days after that April 2021 crisis. Al-Khelaifi has still run with it since. The ECA, which grew from the big clubs' 'G14' and now represents all those in European competition, has drastically expanded in scale and influence. It is much more than a lobby group. The ECA has established a joint venture with Uefa, called UC3, where they both have 50-50 of the Champions League. This control is what the big clubs always wanted, right through the talks that led to the Super League. And who is at the top? An official whose ultimate responsibility is to the Emir of Qatar. Rival executives have questioned whether this is appropriate for the European game. LaLiga's Javier Tebas is one of many to criticise Al-Khelaifi's 'conflict of interests', given he also runs a major broadcaster in the form of BeIn Sport. It is why this weekend may not just crown PSG's final rise as a club, to get what Qatar always wanted, in the Champions League itself. The trophy arriving in a first full season of the new format may also symbolically complete Al-Khelaifi's own rise, as well as the evolution of the competition into something more. The point has already been stressed about how this might just be the Super League by another name, with Uefa's approval, driven by greater powers. The opening stage is now literally a 'super league', given that it features 36 teams and runs parallel to domestic competitions. The absurd entry of six English clubs next season is almost too brazen, given the original plans. Both Uefa and the ECA have nevertheless been keen to celebrate the new format's success. There is delight at how CBS had a record audience for a non-final game with Inter Milan v Barcelona. That isn't really down to any change, though. It's merely the old-fashioned jeopardy of true knock-out football, that can't be engineered. Either way, the next stage is to really capitalise on this American popularity. Uefa and the ECA have gone into partnership with US agency Relevent, whose speciality is big games in the States. That isn't necessarily about finals in New York, however, but maximising 'fan engagement' with new ideas and increasing revenues by 10-20 per cent. Supporter groups like the FSA would see that as 'entertainment elements' like pre-game shows that they would actively oppose. Who actually wants it? Al-Khelaifi is otherwise described, approvingly, as someone who 'drives change'. He is very hard working, with a ferocious temper, but has a charm. That has worked well, given a lot of rival executives say he isn't especially liked. The European football structure has certainly changed. Under the Qatari, the ECA has almost become a third major institution alongside Fifa and Uefa. Al-Khelaifi is very close to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, and has a good relationship with Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino. Insiders even describe this ECA as 'a kingmaker'. If there's a dispute, the side they take usually wins. The body was crucial to the Club World Cup getting off the ground. 'They are pulling levers without people even realising,' one senior source says. Such politics are intriguing in light of the recent row about Infantino's late arrival at the Fifa Congress in Paraguay, and how quickly Uefa anger was quelled with a conciliatory statement. Some insiders insist this is all consistent with what reformers have called for. European courts are now taking a dim view on Fifa and Uefa serving as both regulators and competition organisers with commercial interests. This ECA-led system dilutes that – but should it be at the behest of bigger clubs, and bigger powers? The ECA would point to their expanded membership, how everything is democratically run, and that Al-Khelaifi's leadership pushed the Europa Conference League. The Qatari himself is said to want the ECA to be more recognised as a brand, in terms of the good work it does in terms of legal and financial services to clubs, as well as the women's game. Critics would say the Union of European Clubs had to be established to give scores of affected clubs a voice, that numerous domestic leagues are fearing for their financial futures, and that they can't trust the ECA to consider the whole ecosystem. That ecosystem is increasingly shaped by the positioning for the next land grab, which is in that burgeoning US soccer market, and what happens next with streaming. That's where some attuned figures also see a new era. Much has been made of the Premier League no longer having a real rival, but there is a fear that is exactly what the ECA want the Champions League to be – and eventually to play on weekends. Those on the European side literally laugh about such complaints, given the Premier League's own status as a super league. At the same time, major continental club executives actively want to make English clubs weaker while building something of their own. That might be logical, and necessary, but it also illustrates one of modern football's endless arms races. Premier League clubs talk of consequently having to go bolder and more global. So much of this still comes back to these persistent modern themes, how football is looked at as a commodity to be used, rather than a cultural good. It's why the nature of leadership is so crucial. The Champions League has certainly led the way in the 'financialisation' of football, where virtually everything is looked at in monetary terms. You only had to watch the Europa League final or the Premier League's last day. At the centre of that is the ECA, headed by PSG's Qatari president, whose state primarily see political value in the game. 'People do think that is outrageous,' one source says. 'If you're Qatar, you'd say he's a genius. He's a major governance figure, Qatar Airways a main sponsor.' Qatar's club may now win the Champions League. It didn't even take a game of padel for networking.
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd employees will look on enviously at touching gesture from PSG president
Paris Saint-Germain have reached the Champions League final, with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi making an effort to show his appreciation to all of the club's employees Manchester United's staff will be looking on enviously at matters at Paris Saint-Germain after the French giants invited all of their employees to the Champions League final. PSG will face Inter Milan at the showpiece event in Munich at the end of the month. This is the second time in five years PSG have reached the final, though they are bidding to win the competition for the first time. Their sole European title came back in 1996 with the Cup Winners' Cup. But they are now the favourites to finally break their Champions League hoodoo under the management of the impressive Luis Enrique. With his club on the verge of history, president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has decided to reward PSG's staff for their hard work. The Qatari's gift comes in the form of an invitation to travel to the Allianz Arena. The tickets will come out of the 18,000 allocation given to the French giants by UEFA for the huge game in Germany. Al-Khelaifi announced the news in a club-wide email sent on Friday morning. Each employee will be informed of the practical arrangements shortly, with PSG keen to show their appreciation. According to RMC Sport, in his email Al-Khelaifi emphasised the club's collective success, "from the players on the pitch, to our technical staff, including all the teams in each department of PSG," to explain his approach. Al-Khelaifi's gift stands in sharp contrast to United's approach for last year's FA Cup final. The Red Devils faced Manchester City at Wembley, with staff forced to pay for return travel, as well as accomodation and food out of their own pocket. That was a cost-cutting move from controlling co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and it remains to be seen how the club will approach staff tickets for the Europa League final. Al-Khelaifi is seeking to create a more wholesome atmosphere at the Parc des Princes. After the semi-final win over Arsenal, he said: "If you had told me, three games before the end of the group stage, when we might not have qualified for the play-offs, that we would get there... But I have always had confidence in my players, in my coach, the staff. "I felt that there was something special this season, on the pitch, off it, everyone fighting for each other, everyone happy and proud to fight on the jersey. The supporters were magnificent again." Boss Enrique is desperate to finally bring the Champions League trophy to the French capital. He said on Friday: "This will be the first Champions League final with the fans. Without them, it's not really a final. If a team deserves to win, after waiting so long, it's PSG. "I know the club was founded the year I was born. Let's hope this connection proves true and we can secure the Champions League. We'll try to be the first. The problem is that there will definitely be one team that won't succeed with Inter Milan, but I hope we win. "When the festive moments arrive, there's nothing more beautiful than giving our work to others. We'll try to finish with the cherry on the cake. The team and the fans deserve it. We deserve this chance to play in this final, just like last year."
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
The promise Luis Enrique made to Nasser Al-Khelaifi after taking charge at PSG
Paris Saint-Germain are into a second Champions League final, defeating four Premier League clubs en route, and are now determined to claim a first European Cup when they face Inter Milan in Munich Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi insists Luis Enrique is the best coach in the world - but his work is 'not finished.' Enrique has now seen off FOUR Premier League clubs after the French champions beat Arsenal to reach the Champions League final. PSG, who beat Manchester City in the league phase while also overcoming Liverpool and Aston Villa in the knock-out stage, are on course to win the trophy for the first time in the club's history. Al-Khelaifi insists their brilliant campaign is down to Enrique's attacking vision but warned they must complete the job against Inter Milan in Munich to deliver the club's ultimate ambition. Al-Khelaifi said: 'It's not finished. There's one match, very, very important. We're going to celebrate. We're going to focus on the match, the final in Munich. The first thing Luis Enrique told me is: 'you're going to see your team, the club, your team playing amazing football. You're going to enjoy it.' 'That's what he said … 'I want to play offensive football' and that's what he told us and he's done it. And he's the best coach in the world.' PSG only squeezed into the knockout phase after beating Brest in the play-offs following inconsistent performances and results in the league stage. Al-Khelaifi admitted that this season was about building a young team minus the superstars of the past and so to reach the final means they are well ahead of schedule. They reached the 2020 Champions League final but lost to Bayern Munich in an empty stadium in Covid times. He added: 'So this year the dream was to build the team, build a young team for the future. That was our objective. If you had told me the objective was to be in a final, that was not true. If you had told me after three matches in the Group stage that would be our target… it was just to qualify and then we did it through the play-off. 'But I think what I felt and I smelled something between the players, the team spirit, the coach, the sport advisor, the fans, everybody that here is something so special. 'This is the first final we play with our supporters, with our fans. We'll be there. So it's something very, very special. Inter Milan is fantastic team. 'They're two years now in the final. So we know the danger of Inter Milan. I would like to congratulate them to reach the final. We are in the final now and you know everything can happen.'
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Thierry Henry thanks PSG chief after they dumped Arsenal out of Champions League
Thierry Henry is an Arsenal legend and remains a supporter of the club, but he still couldn't resist praising Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after their win Thierry Henry launched into a monologue bursting with praise while speaking to Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. PSG reached the Champions League final with a 3-1 victory on aggregate over Arsenal on Wednesday night and Henry felt compelled to compliment the man behind the French club's rise. Arsenal arrived in Paris with a 1-0 deficit to overturn from the first leg in London but found Gianluigi Donnarumma in inspired form. The PSG goalkeeper made stunning saves to deny Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka and their luck didn't turn. Fabian Ruiz increased the home side's lead when he blasted in from the edge of the box, and although David Raya saved Vitinha's penalty, Achraf Hakimi made it 3-0 on aggregate with a low finish in the second half. Saka got a goal back, but it didn't conjure an unlikely Arsenal comeback as PSG went through to face Inter Milan in the final on May 31. Al-Khelaifi has been the figurehead of PSG since Qatar Sports Investments took over in 2011 and pumped the club full of money. He appeared on CBS Sports on Wednesday night, where former Arsenal striker Henry surprisingly showered him with praise. Asked if he had a question for Al-Khelaifi, Henry replied: "I don't have a question, I actually want to give you your respect. Being French, I know the pressure that you came under, and you know this town is not a nice one when things aren't going well, and I have to say that you always conducted yourself really well, you listened to what was missing. "We talked about it, and that the team at the time had to go young. When you went to get Luis Enrique, I said to you, 'You got a proper coach, he doesn't mess around, you will see,' but I wanted to say, thank you, because you changed the way people see Paris Saint-Germain. 'When I was growing up, it wasn't the case, you changed everything, the community, people can go and watch the games, which wasn't always the case, so hopefully you can make the next step and bring another star. "I know it's my team you knocked out, but I want Paris Saint-Germain to win it because it will seal what you've done and the way you've done it, and you put Paris back on the map, so well done and thank you.' Al-Khelaifi replied: 'Thank you very much, coach. It means a lot to us, especially from a legend like you. Today, it's really important, we fight for not just us but for France, for Ligue 1, for the clubs here, for the young talented people around Paris. This is the message: whenever you have a dream, make it true. But there is still one match to go.' PSG will play Inter Milan in the Champions League final on May 31 in Munich after seeing off a third straight English team in the knockout stages. Luis Enrique's side dispatched Liverpool and Aston Villa over two legs before making it a hat-trick by adding Arsenal to the set.
