20 Oct 2010Tottenham Hotspur boss laments foreign takeovers

Football Finance News | Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has warned that the continuing trend for foreign takeovers at English Premier League football clubs is likely to have negative implications for the future of the national game.

Speaking following New England Sports Ventures' buyout of Liverpool, the former West Ham United and Portsmouth boss claimed the numerous off-field sagas which have plagued the sport in recent years are alienating football fans.

"If there are millions of pounds in it to take the team to America or Russia or Hong Kong, China or Japan, it will happen," he said. "[Foreign businessmen] don't buy [English Premier League] clubs because they love the football club."

Redknapp suggested that English entrepreneurs are unwilling to get involved with the sport because of the potential for supporter unrest and said it is "sad" that so few top clubs remain domestically-owned.

However, English-based Tottenham Hotspur owner Enic has courted controversy over the last few weeks with plans to relocate the north London team to Stratford.

Written by Mark Thompson

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