After a two-year quest, Malcolm Glazer gained control of the world's richest soccer team.
Despite bitter resistance from fans, the American owner of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the majority shareholder of Manchester United on Thursday.
His ownership reached 56.9 percent after buying a 28.7 percent share held by Irish racehorse owners J.P. McManus and John Magnier.
PHOTO: AFP
Glazer offered 300 pence (US$5.58; 4.40 euros) per share as part of his ?790.3 million (US$1.47 billion; 1 billion euros) bid for the storied club. He bought his first stake (2.3 percent) in the team in March 2003.
Financial analysts said the deal seemed certain to succeed, and suggested Glazer's ownership could quickly reach the critical 75-percent threshold. At that level, he could take the club private.
Late Thursday, the BBC reported Glazer reached the 70 percent owenership level, without giving detail.
United share prices rose 13 percent to 298.75 pence (US$5.57; 4.38 euros) on news of the sale.
"The stake held by the Irishmen was always going to be the key to the bid," said Roy Kaitcer of Manchester stockbrokers Brewin Dolphin Securities. "He obviously has a great platform to start his bid.
"Once other shareholders see what has happened, they will say they better take that as well. It looks like Mr. Glazer is on his way to owning Manchester United."
Added Professor Bill J. Gerrard of Leeds University Business School: "He now controls the destiny of Manchester United. It's as simple as that."
Opposition to the takeover was swift, with several thousand fans gathering outside Old Trafford stadium to protest, and burning in effigy the image of Glazer.
English fans fear Glazer will raise prices, and sell off key assets like Old Trafford. They also resent foreign ownership of the tradition-steeped English club.
"I'm giving up my season ticket," said Shareholders United president Nick Towle. ``I'm not putting a penny of my money into this guy's pocket.
"I'm very sad. It's a really sad day for Manchester United, for the supporters, for the whole club, and I think it's a sad day for football in general."
Shareholders United represents 17 percent of the club's stockholders, a number estimated at 20,000. Towle said at least half -- and maybe all -- would give up their tickets and stop attending games.
Former team manager Tommy Docherty described the reclusive Glazer as a man "who knows nothing about football."
"Manchester United's heart and soul has been sold today," he said. "It has changed forever today."
English media reported Glazer has never been to Manchester or visited Old Trafford.
In a report in February by British accounting firm Deloitte summarizing revenues for the world's top soccer clubs, Manchester United was listed No. 1 for the 2003-2004 season at US$311 million (259 million euros).
Spain's Real Madrid was No. 2 at US$283 million (236 million euros), followed by Italy's AC Milan, Chelsea of England, and Juventus of Italy.
With a game left, Manchester United is 20 points behind champion Chelsea and nine behind runner-up Arsenal. Glazer's move came just before Manchester United's May 21 FA Cup final against Arsenal, its only chance for a trophy this season.
Cagliari and Inter Milan traded second-half goals two minutes apart and drew 1-1 their first-leg semifinal of the Italian Cup Thursday.
Gianfranco Zola curled in a free kick from the edge of the penalty area to give Cagliari the lead in the 50th minute at Sant'Elia stadium.
Obafemi Martins equalized, scoring from one meter during a goalmouth scramble off a corner kick.
It was the 21st goal for the Nigerian forward in Serie A and Cup matches this season.
Inter, the favorite among the last four in the competition, started Adriano and Martins in front and replaced them during the second half with Christian Vieri and Julio Ricardo Cruz.
Inter goalkeeper Fabian Carini had some uncertain moments, including a handing outside the area that resulted in Zola's free kick.
Thursday's draw extended Cagliari unbeaten streak at home to seven months.
Inter's coach Roberto Mancini said the away goal may help his team qualification for the final, barring an upset in the second leg at San Siro next Wednesday.
In another semifinal round Wednesday, AS Roma and Udinese played to 1-1 at Stadio Olimpico with a first-half goal by Philippe Mexes and a late equalizer by Udinese captain Valerio Bertotto.
Udinese will host the second leg on Tuesday.
FC Copenhagen reached the Royal League final when Malmo FF beat Rosenborg 4-2 on Thursday, sending the Danish club to the May 26 championship match against IFK Goteborg.
Brazilian Afonso Alves scored in the 22nd and 62nd minutes to twice give Malmo the lead.
Frode Johnsen equalized twice before Markus Rosenberg scored the eventual winner in the 73rd and Marcus Pode added the insurance in injury time.
The result finished Copenhagen atop the group with seven points, one more than Malmo and three better than Rosenborg.
In Thursday's other game, Kalle Svensson scored to give Goteborg a 1-0 victory at SK Brann. Goteborg had clinched its place in the final.
The inaugural Royal League, so named because Sweden, Denmark and Norway are constitutional monarchies, started late last year with the top four teams from the three Scandinavian countries. It's an attempt to shorten the long winter breaks clubs in those countries must endure, and make them more competitive in international play.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was charged with improper conduct Thursday by the Football Association over comments he made about penalties.
Angry at the referee's failure to award a penalty for a foul on Alan Smith a 2-1 Premier League win over Newcastle on April 24, Ferguson suggested there was a conspiracy against his team.
"It is getting ridiculous now. I am not sure if they are instructed, but it is looking sinister to me," Ferguson said the day after the game.
"Since that penalty kick against Arsenal, it seems to me we are not going to get another one, no matter what the circumstances. One of our players will need to get shot for us to get one."
He has until May 26 to respond to the charge.
Manchester United has been awarded two penalties in 27 Premier League games since it beat Arsenal 2-0 in October, snapping the Gunners' 49-match unbeaten streak in the competition.
With the score 0-0, Manchester United was awarded a penalty for a foul by Sol Campbell on Wayne Rooney. Campbell berated his England teammate for diving and TV replays showed minimal contact.
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