UEFA have now been asked to block a potential takeover of Manchester United amid an incoming bid from Qatari investors.
It was reported on Monday that Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) are preparing to make a bid to buy United from the Glazer family "in the coming days".
It was claimed the interested investors are not related to Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), who own Paris Saint-Germain, and that the capital for the takeover will come from an individual fund instead of a sovereign wealth fund.
However, reports suggest that QIA are, in fact, linked with QSI.
Read: Beckham's son impresses with last-minute winner
If it is proved that the two investor groups are linked, then a takeover is not possible as, per UEFA's rules, "no individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition".
If the takeover went ahead, this situation would lead to either United or PSG having to stay away from UEFA competitions if both qualified in the same season.
Human rights research and advocacy group FairSquare has now submitted a letter to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin urging the European football governing body to prohibit any potential takeover of United while the Ligue 1 giants are owned by QSI.
"A basic study of Qatar's political and economic system amply demonstrates the impossibility of any Qatari consortium proving itself independent of state influence, and thus separate from the ownership of PSG," the letter reads, per The Athletic.
Read: Shock club 'makes contact' to sign Greenwood
"Freedom House's World Freedom Index classifies Qatar as 'not free', and its most recent assessment is highly critical of Qatar's record on the rule of law, corruption, and political participation: 'Qatar's hereditary emir holds all executive and legislative authority and ultimately controls the judiciary.'
"UEFA's Statutes are very clear on the critical importance of ensuring that no single party can exercise control or influence over more than one club, and this is all the more important when the owners are states.
"State ownership of European football clubs jeopardises the integrity of the game, its proclaimed values and its sustainability."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.