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World
Derby County no longer for sale after Turki Alalshikh withdraws
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 3 min read
The essentials
Turki Alalshikh has abandoned his proposed takeover of Derby County, which says it is no longer for sale. According to the BBC, the Saudi official concluded that the approval process had taken too long to leave enough time to prepare the team and club after the season began. The proposed investment had received clearance from both the English Football League and the Independent Football Regulator. Derby, who play in England’s second-tier Championship, will continue to operate with the support of Clowes Developments. Alalshikh said he would remain in discussions with the club about future opportunities.
- Turki Alalshikh has abandoned his proposed takeover of Derby County.
- Derby County says the club is no longer for sale.
- Alalshikh blamed the time taken by the approval process.
- Clowes Developments will continue to support the club.
What we know
Turki Alalshikh has abandoned his proposed takeover of Derby County. The club is now no longer for sale, according to the BBC.
The proposed investment was intended to give him a controlling stake in Derby, who compete in the Championship, the second tier of English football. The club was informed of his withdrawal on Monday.
Derby County said it would continue to operate with the support of Clowes Developments.
Why Turki Alalshikh withdrew
Alalshikh said the season had already begun and the approval process had taken too long to leave sufficient time to prepare the team and the club.
He said, however, that he would remain in discussions with Derby County about possible future opportunities.
An approval process under way since May
The proposed acquisition of a controlling stake had been before England’s Independent Football Regulator since May. It had received clearance from both the regulator and the English Football League.
The English Football League, which oversees professional clubs in England and Wales below the Premier League, had therefore approved the transaction.
The regulator completed its assessment in 55 days, within the statutory limit of 90 days. It said last week that it intended to approve the offer.
That approval was due before the start of the 2026-27 season.
How prospective owners are assessed
The regulator is legally required to assess prospective owners of clubs in the top five divisions of English men’s football.
Its assessment covers matters including financial soundness and resources, the source of an applicant’s wealth, honesty and integrity.
Human rights criticism
In June, Amnesty International described the proposed investment as a “decisive test” for the regulator.
Human rights organisations had also criticised Alalshikh over his alleged role in Saudi sportswashing.
Sportswashing is the use of sport by a country, company or other entity to improve its reputation.
Turki Alalshikh’s background
Alalshikh chairs Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, a government body responsible for the entertainment sector. He is close to Mohammed bin Salman.
He is also a co-founder of the boxing promotion company Zuffa.
Alalshikh owned Egyptian club Pyramids between 2018 and 2019. He also recently owned Spanish club Almeria.
He sold Almeria to a Saudi investment group last May.
Takeover timeline
- The proposed acquisition of a controlling stake is submitted to England’s Independent Football Regulator.
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