Kuwaiti Purchases British Soccer Club

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Nathan Tyson of Nottingham Forest in action during the Coca Cola Championship match between Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on February 18, 2009 in Ipswich, England. (February 18, 2009 – Source: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images Europe)

Nottingham Forest appear to be the latest English club to have been bought by a foreign owner after Kuwaiti businessman Fawaz Al Hasawi claimed to have completed his purchase of the English club. Al Hasawi, a member of one of Kuwait’s richest families resigned as president of Kuwaiti club Qadsia earlier this year. Al Hasawi announced the takeover had been successful on his Twitter account. “I can officially announce that the acquisition of Nottingham Forest is complete,” he said.

Nottingham Forest are two-time winners of the European Cup, and they had just retained their Championship status. The club came on the market in February after the sudden death of owner Nigel Doughty. News of the purchase was greeted with delight by the playing staff. “Great news,” said striker Dexter Blackstock in a tweet of his own.

There have been suggestions that the potential new owners would want to replace Steve Cotterill as manager, with Neil Warnock, who is currently in charge of Championship rivals Leeds United, mentioned as a likely candidate.

Forest are one of only eight clubs to have retained the European Cup, securing their second crown in 1980, but they have fallen on hard times and have not played in the Premier League since being relegated in 1999.  The club ended last season in 19th place in the Championship.

Al Hasawi, however, spelled out a vision for Forest. “We wish to bring the club back to where it belongs in the top division. Together we can bring the glory days back,” he said.

His family’s main business interests are in property, hotels and air conditioning. On June 25, a company called NFFC Group Holdings Ltd was registered with Britain’s Companies House. Omar Al Hasawi is a director of this firm, according to the Director Check website.

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