Sheikh Jassim strikes back! Qatari bidder takes legal action against Man Utd over ‘defamatory’ remarks made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe about failed takeover

The Qatari billionaire was the INEOS chief's only rival in the race to buy United during the club's lengthy strategic review, which began in November 2022 and ended in December 2023 when Ratcliffe secured a 27 percent stake in the Red Devils. According to The Athletic, Sheikh Jassim has been upset by media coverage of his failed bid and his lawyers have sent legal letters to United to complain about comments that have been made about him.

The report states that Sheikh Jassim was annoyed when it was suggested in the club's filing to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in January 2024 that he had not provided proof of funds. Ratcliffe confirmed that was the case during a meeting with journalists in February and also joked that he wasn't sure Sheikh Jassim existed, a comment which is said to have further upset the Qatari. Joe Ravitch, co-founder of the Raine Group which organised the strategic review, has confirmed that he met Sheikh Jassim in New York during the process.

According to The Athletic, the letters written by Sheikh Jassim's lawyers complain of “a pattern of demonstrably false and defamatory” statements from Ratcliffe and demand that the club makes “immediate corrective action” to the club’s SEC filings. The lawyers also accuse Ratcliffe of breaching the confidentiality agreement signed by all parties during the sales process by making his comments during his briefing with journalists.

Ratcliffe has acted swiftly since INEOS secured its 27 percent stake in United and took control of the club's sporting operations. Omar Berrada has been hired as the new CEO from Manchester City while the club are expected to announce Dan Ashworth as their next sporting director in due course. Jason Wilcox is also reported to be hired as technical director after resigning from Southampton. And soon Ratcliffe and his colleagues must decide whether or not to keep Erik ten Hag as manager, as United's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League hang by a thread.