Missing The Ball, Erick Thohir Is One Step Away From Being The Owner Of Oxford United

Minister of BUMN, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Ministry of BUMN)

JAKARTA - BUMN Minister Erick Thohir is in the process of buying a British club, Oxford United. The purchase was made through an Indonesian consortium he led.

Currently, the majority stake in Oxford United is owned by Thai businessman Sumrith 'Tiger' Thanakarnjanasuth, at 51 percent. Now, Erick Thohir et al are ready to acquire.

According to The Telegraph, Sunday, March 21, Erick Thohir et al hopes to complete the transaction in the coming weeks. They will also submit a business plan to the English Football League (EFL).

Erick Thohir served as director of Oxford United from November 2018 to October 2019, but was forced to resign after being appointed Minister of BUMN by President Jokowi. Erick Thohir was also owner of Italian club Inter Milan between 2013 and 2019 and a majority shareholder in MLS club DC United.

The current board of Oxford United consists of Tiger, Anindya Bakrie (Aburizal Bakrie's son) and German Horst Geicke, who lives in Hong Kong. Anindya (46) became a director in April 2019 and has a close relationship with Erick Thohir.

The entrepreneur previously worked in the media and telecommunications sector, working with Erick Thohir to run a television network in the country.

Previously, Erick Thohir became one of the new owners of Persis Solo after being inaugurated at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGMS) of PT Persis Solo Saestu (PSS) as the party that oversees the Indonesian League 2 camp in Solo on Saturday.

Erick Thohir now owns 20 percent of Persis Solo shares with President Jokowi's son Kaesang Pangarep buying 40 percent of the shares while PT Plevia Makmur Abadi Director Kevin Nugroho owns 30 percent.

In his official press release, Erick Thohir revealed his reasons for entering the world of football again. "Miss the ball!" said Erick, briefly.

Meanwhile, Tiger has been owner of Oxford United since February 2018, when he completed the takeover of the club from Darryl Eales. The club chairman revealed earlier this month that the COVID-19 pandemic has cost the club's finances by up to £ 2.3 million.

However, Tiger also previously said Oxford United's finances for the year ending June 2020, which are expected to be published soon, will show an advantage.

Earlier this week, head coach Karl Robinson said he wanted to make Oxford United 'the top 30 club in England'. Currently, Oxford plays in the third division of the English League, League One and ranks 11th with 53 points.