Saudi boxing executive Turki Al-Sheikh has withdrawn from a consortium’s proposed takeover of English Championship football club Derby County.
Al-Sheikh was part of the Lion Sport group seeking a controlling stake in the second-tier team. The deal had received approval from the Independent Football Regulator and English Football League authorities the previous week.
He called off the transaction on Monday, later saying on social media that the regulatory process had taken too long to leave enough time to prepare the club and squad for the new season.
According to his statement, the consortium respected the regulator’s role but decided not to proceed without the necessary preparations in place. Al-Sheikh added that discussions with Derby County could continue and that a future deal remained possible.
The Saudi executive has helped bring boxing stars including Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk to the kingdom. He previously owned Spanish club UD Almeria and Egyptian side Pyramids FC, and was linked last year with a potential purchase of English League One club Bristol City.
Source: AGBI
