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Qatar interested in Leeds stake

According to a report in the Financial Times the state-backed Qatar Sports Investments, which controls Paris Saint-Germain, has been in talks to buy a stake in Leeds United. Qatar has wanted to enter English football for two years and Leeds is their club of choice.

However, at least six different potential investors have held talks with Leeds whose owner, Andrea Radrizzani, prefers to sell a minority stake in the club. Talks have been restarted after the club lost in the end of season play offs.

Qatar is the controversial location for the 2022 World Cup. The world's richest nation in per capita terms, it has increasingly been using sport to project its soft power.

Radrizzani has spent £100m on Leeds since he acquired the club two years ago and by selling a stake would be able to reduce the risk of his holdings. Last year he sold a 10 per cent stake in the club to the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers NFL team.

The reaction of Leeds fans to the news is discussed here: He has no choice

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