The Prince Of Saudi Arabia Buys French Second Division Club At Low Prices, Only IDR 47.7 Billion

Chateauroux players when they competed in the French Cup Last 64 against Nantes two years ago

JAKARTA - Claiming to be a lover of "sports and money", Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad of Saudi Arabia will become the owner of the French second division club, Chateauroux.

After becoming the owner of the football club Sheffield United in the Premier League, Beerschot in Belgium, Kerala United in India, and Al Hilal United in the UAE, the 56-year-old will soon have a new team in his portfolio.

"We were interested in Chateauroux for some time, and negotiations are taking a long time," Prince Abdullah said as quoted by Antara, Monday, March 8.

"The position of the club which is currently in the second division standings is very difficult, but I am optimistic about the future."

Chateauroux currently competes in the French second division with just four wins all season in 28 games.

The prince, who once held a sports portfolio in the Saudi Arabian cabinet, gave his company United World the green light to buy the French club.

"I love sports and money," said the man whose personal fortune is estimated at 200 million euros (IDR 3.4 trillion).

"When I invest in England and Belgium, I'm happy. But for France, I have a special feeling because it's a country that reminds me of my childhood."

"My memories are many and my younger brother (prince) Abdulrahman was born there."

"I know Chateauroux is not far from Paris (about 270 kilometers), another reason I love being in France, besides the restaurants, cafes, and beautiful streets of Paris."

He added, "Under normal circumstances, I would visit the club (at the time of the acquisition), mainly because I really like France, but because of the traveling conditions I could not go."

Prince Abdullah said United World chief executive Abdallah Al-Ghamdi had watched the final games and reached an agreement with club officials and the board of directors.

French media estimate Chateauroux will be bought for 2.8 million euros (IDR 47.7 billion) which is a cheap floor price in the global football economy.

"I think the figure is higher but I don't want to divulge it," Abdullah said of the club in danger of relegation after four seasons in the second division.

Chateauroux spent just one season in the French top flight in 1997/1998. The club entered the French Cup final in 2004 but lost 0-1 against Paris Saint Germain.

🔛 Le devoir de 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 et d'𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝗾𝘂'𝗮𝘂 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 ! Le groupe professionnel est à l'entraînement. ⚡ pic.twitter.com/r2LClNEzs7

— La Berrichonne de Châteauroux (@LaBerrichonne) March 5, 2021

"When we buy a club, we have a goal. To improve the club level, the facilities, and the team level, the most important thing is to do it over time," said Abdullah.

"I am delighted we have clubs from three countries who reached the final semifinals of the World Cup - England, Belgium, and France," he added.

The prince claimed to have followed French football for years and called Michel Platini his idol.

"I remember the French team Platini, Giresse, Tigana, and Rocheteau. When I was young, Platini was my favorite player when he played in Italy with Juventus."

Then, after buying Chateauroux, what's next?

"We will now stop investing for about a year to consolidate our club. Managing the club is not easy. We do not want to expand beyond our potential," concluded the prince.