Bin Laden family in bid for Magpies
8:19am Monday 7th July 2008
By Paul Fraser »
REPORTS yesterday claimed that a wealthy construction company run by the family of Osama bin Laden wants to buy Newcastle United.
The Saudi Binladen Group (SBG), whose chief executive is Osama's half-brother, Bakr bin Laden, and was founded by their father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Laden, is reputedly preparing to make a £300m-plus deal to buy United.
The Mail on Sunday made the astonishing claim at a time when there is increased speculation that the owner of the club, Mike Ashley, is willing to sell, only a year into his role.
Club officials maintain that Mr Ashley is not looking to cash in, but yesterday's shock development is a further indication that there is a feeling that is no longer the case.
It was even suggested that SBG is examining the longer term, with a view to carrying out a lucrative redevelopment of St James' Park and the land surrounding the ground.
The Bin Laden family publicly distanced itself from the founder of Al-Qaeda a long time before he claimed responsibility for the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers.
But, with nine Premier League clubs already in foreign ownership, such a move would be the most controversial takeover so far.
The news of SBG's interest in buying the Tyneside club emerged less than 48 hours after a club statement, issued on behalf of managing director Derek Llambias, described reports that Ashley was willing to sell as "absolute nonsense". The club last night repeated that stance following the latest speculation.
It was claimed on Friday that US private investment company, InterMedia Partners, had been quoted £420m for the club.
In a further twist, however, the New York-based firm confirmed reports that they had been approached by a third party about its purchase.
In a statement, InterMedia said: "The company was approached about a deal. It made no offer and has no interest."
SBG made no comment yesterday.
Your Say YourNorth-East
david veitch, says...
9:42am Mon 7 Jul 08
Joker1, carribean says...
4:39pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Dan Cole, Preston says...
5:19pm Mon 7 Jul 08
josh maidwell, newcastle says...
8:44pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Michael G, Belfast says...
10:48pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Ann, Darlington says...
8:47am Tue 8 Jul 08
Michael G wrote:The Bin Ladens have tried to distance themselves from this maniac for years, but people like yourself seem to associate all people with their family name with terriorism.
This is in relation to Dan's comment, you must not be a true fan if you do not care who owns the club, true fans care about who owns the club they love, we dont want any terriorists running one of the best clubs in the world, of course they are going to distance themselves from Al-Qaeda who wouldnt??
If your name was Bronson or Kray, it does not make you a serial killer or london gangster by association. The same with the Bin Ladens. Because one of their relatives is a phsycopathic terriorist, does not mean the rest of them are, does it?
Dan Cole, Preston says...
10:58am Tue 8 Jul 08
Michael G, belfast says...
1:30pm Tue 8 Jul 08
Ann, Darlington says...
2:59pm Tue 8 Jul 08
Michael G wrote:Michael, how far should we take your views on assoication by family name.
how can you not associate someone to their family name? what about saddam hussain? was his brothers not killing people like saddam???
Do the relatives of a drunk driver become drink drivers by association? What about a burgular, rapist or murder! This is a extremely warpped and narrow minded point of view.
Just because a family member acts a certain way or has a particular opinion does not mean the whole family does as well.
The Bin Laden's have publically disowned there more famous relative and have stated they do not shared his opinions. How much more do they have to do to prove this too the narrow minded people like you.
For christ sake his own son married a christan white woman!!!!
Michael G, belfast says...
6:27pm Tue 8 Jul 08
Your sayYourNorth-East
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Al, N Yorks says...
9:00am Mon 7 Jul 08
The Newcastle PR goes from bad to worse - bring back John Hall & Freddie Shepherd