Selling football’s soul...
Fury as FA to flog Wembley, home of the English game, to an American billionaire
If you sell Wembley, what’s next – Buckingham Palace and Big Ben? CARLOS CARVALHAL SWANSEA CITY MANAGER
THE £800million deal to sell Wembley Stadium to an American Football tycoon sparked a furious backlash last night.
FA bosses were swamped with criticism when the bid for “the home of football” was announced.
One MP insisted Wembley must not be sold off “in a backroom deal”. Many compared it to flogging off Big Ben or the Crown Jewels.
There was fury at secret talks, which have been going on for months, between FA chiefs and billionaire American Football franchise owner Shahid Khan.
But Mr Khan – known as the Tache with the Cash – who is planning a stadium upgrade, insisted the deal would benefit everyone.
He said: “Should we be fortunate to close on the purchase, it’s important to stress that the spirit and essence of Wembley would be unchanged. Wembley is a special place, beloved in London and known throughout the world.”
The 90,000-seat stadium, the UK’s largest, cost £757million to build and opened in 2007. Earlier this year the FA said they would finish paying for it by 2025. A debt of around £142million remains.
The deal could result in an NFL team in London and force England’s team to play at other stadiums during the US season.
Carlos Carvalhal, the Portuguese manager of Swansea City said: “Wembley is a monument and you cannot sell the monuments in your country. If you sell Wembley, what do you do then? Do you sell Buckingham Palace and Big Ben?”
Local MP and Shadow International Trade Secretary Barry Gardiner raged: “Let’s not see our National Football Stadium traded away in a backroom deal.
“Wembley Stadium is at the heart of Britain.”
Theresa May’s spokesman said: “Wembley holds a very special in the hearts of fans. I’m sure the FA will want to strongly consider the views of these supporters before deciding what to do next.”
MP Luke Pollard, a Plymouth Argyle and England fan, said: “The FA are going to need to make a very, very compelling case to fans that all the money will go back into grassroots sport if it is to be supported by fans and MPs.”
But Mr Khan – who owns the American Football side Jacksonsville Jaguars and Fulham FC – claims grass roots football would benefit.
He added: “An agreement would result in Wembley Stadium returning to private ownership, permitting the FA to fully focus on its core mission. That includes the development of talent and serving the game from grassroots to the men’s and women’s national teams.”
Since 2007, 18 regular season NFL games have been played at Wembley, five with the Jaguars.
Mr Khan is ready to pay more than £500million in cash. But it is expected the FA will keep Club Wembley, worth around £300million. The business is a stadium-linked membership club