Charlton takeover group tells EFL it has no link to Sheikh Mansour
The Abu Dhabi consortium set to take over Charlton Athletic was questioned by the English Football League over the extent of its links with Manchester City’s owners, The Daily Telegraph understands.
East Street Investments, headed by two executives from the private office of one of the six ruling families, has subsequently provided proof that funds available for the club are private and unrelated to those of Sheikh Mansour at City.
Tahnoon Nimer, a majority shareholder worth several hundred million pounds, is understood to have handed over evidence which effectively rules out “dual ownership” issues with the Premier League champions, after a directors’ test interview last week.
The EFL’S interest in Nimer is thought to have been piqued by his company website outlining his commitment to businesses supported by royal family members in the United Arab Emirates. The Telegraph understands Nimer and his associates have now provided what they believe to be “absolute assurance” to the EFL that their investment is coming from private funds.
The league, which declined to comment other than to say that tests were ongoing, has yet to respond to the consortium, but executives are understood to be confident that the takeover remains on track.
The “rigorous” checks were perceived as a reflection of the increasing pressure on the EFL’S directors’ and owners’ test after the collapse of Bury FC.
Nimer is chairman of Abu Dhabi Business Development (ADBD), which says on its website that he made a “remarkable commitment to supporting emerging businesses directly sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Saeed Bin Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan and other prominent Royal Family members, in the UAE as well as other countries”.
The majority shareholder in East Street through Panorama Magic General Contracting LLC and Jonathan Heller, chairman and chief executive of ADBD respectively, are set to join the south-east London club as directors.
The value of the deal negotiated with Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet remains undisclosed.