In times of crisis, in England, still make millionaire transfers. The secret? ‘Offshores‘ and millionaires with football fever.
Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he could be making twice his Real Madrid annual salary. The proposal was public: the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, owner of Manchester City, would be willing to pay close to € 20 million per year and to Real Madrid 150 million for his pass. The business has not proceeded, but in the meantime, other millionaires of English football came into play. Roman Abramovich came to FCPorto some years ago to take André Villas-Boas for EUR 15 million, a world record among coaches, and this year got Diego Costa – £ 32 million – and Fabregas – fee £ 26 million – sprending big to have this two world class players. Businesses only possible in the League of Millionaires.
But there’s more. In total, Abramovich, whose fortune came with the oil business, being in the area between the late 80s and the first half of the 90s, has injected close to € 850 million in the club from the capital, which he owns all capital. An impressive value, but not so much when compared with the eccentric sum invested by Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed, 40 years old, who through a company registered in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi United Group, has invested 565 million euros in Manchester City, who bought in late 2008.
But Man City is far from being the only club supported in companies based in tax havens. Tottenham is in the hands of Enic International Limited, which belong to Joe Lewis, Bahamas-based; 95% of Bolton Wandereres belong to Edwin Davies, resident in the Isle of Man and 95% of Birmingham are of Carson Yeung and his Brimingham International Holdings, based in the Cayman Islands.
Roman Abramovich owner of Chelsea
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan owner of Manchester City
Joe Lewis owner of Tottenham
Carson Yeung owner of Birmingham
About the Author: Daniel Trevisani
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