Mystery surrounds reports of UAE takeover of Premier League club

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A member of a ruling family in the United Arab Emirates has bought a majority stake in a Premier League club, the official Emirates News Agency has reported. The agency did not name the club but said that Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr al-Qassimi has bought 60% of it, adding that details would be announced at a press conference this week.

The report was greeted with scepticism among figures with experience of Premier League takeovers. The agency said that Sheikh Ahmed, a member of the family which rules Ras al-Khaimah – one of the UAE's seven emirates – will be the club's ­honorary chairman.

The prospective new owner of Portsmouth, Sulaiman Al Fahim, is from the UAE but sources close him last night strongly denied any involvement.END