QSI Complete 70pc Takeover of PSG in USD72.4m Deal

July 1, 2011

Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has completed the takeover of French Ligue 1 soccer club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

QSI completed the acquisition of a 70 per cent stake in PSG for a reported Eur50m (US$72.4m), generic with the agreement furthering Qatari interest in French football. QSI president Al-Khelaifi also serves as president of Al Jazeera, order which last week snapped up a package of domestic broadcast rights to Ligue 1 for the 2012-16 seasons, buy order | adding to the broadcaster’s capture of the league’s overseas rights in a six-year deal.

Sebastien Bazin, president of PSG’s former majority shareholder Colony Capital Europe, hailed the QSI agreement as a “great moment” adding “I am convinced that I have left PSG in good hands”.

Al-Khelaifi said in a statement: “We will work over the coming years to make PSG a great team and a strong brand on the international scene, one that will make all the fans proud. I am excited to see the Parisians come to enjoy family games and support their team. I know that PSG has recorded a large increase in season tickets, a sign that we made the right decision.”