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Arab group claims Man City deal
Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim of ADUG and Man City's Pairoj Piempongsant
A Middle-East company claims to have completed a takeover of Premier League side Manchester City.
Abu Dhabi United Group Investment and Development (ADUG) says it has bought the club from Thaksin Shinawatra.
"The investment services and development in Abu Dhabi has successfully completed the huge takeover," its statement read.
City have said discussions are ongoing and BBC Sport understands Thaksin is eager to retain an interest in City.
ADUG claims the takeover deal was completed at the Abu Dhabi Emirates Palace Hotel on Sunday.
Dr Sulaiman Al- Fahim, a member of ADUG's board, and Thaksin were said to have signed the deal.
Dr Al-Fahim and Piempongsant sign a memorandum of understanding
Dr Al-Fahim and Thaksin's adviser, Pairoj Piempongsant, were photographed posing with a City shirt.
The ADUG statement claimed that the deal gave it "all management rights" over City, while Thaksin would become honorary president of the club "without any administrative responsibilities".
Dr Al-Fahim promised to "solve all the club problems" and "clear any pending payments" as well as "bringing the best football players in the world" to City.
The statement also said City would qualify for the Champions League in the 2009/10 season.
However, BBC Sport understands that ADUG has only signed a memorandum of understanding - essentially a gentleman's agreement - with City.
The Middle East company wants to completely buy out the club, whereas Thaksin is eager to retain an interest in City.
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Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim of ADUG and Man City's Pairoj PiempongsantA Middle-East company claims to have completed a takeover of Premier League side Manchester City.
Abu Dhabi United Group Investment and Development (ADUG) says it has bought the club from Thaksin Shinawatra.
"The investment services and development in Abu Dhabi has successfully completed the huge takeover," its statement read.
City have said discussions are ongoing and BBC Sport understands Thaksin is eager to retain an interest in City.
ADUG claims the takeover deal was completed at the Abu Dhabi Emirates Palace Hotel on Sunday.
Dr Sulaiman Al- Fahim, a member of ADUG's board, and Thaksin were said to have signed the deal.
Dr Al-Fahim and Piempongsant sign a memorandum of understandingDr Al-Fahim and Thaksin's adviser, Pairoj Piempongsant, were photographed posing with a City shirt.
The ADUG statement claimed that the deal gave it "all management rights" over City, while Thaksin would become honorary president of the club "without any administrative responsibilities".
Dr Al-Fahim promised to "solve all the club problems" and "clear any pending payments" as well as "bringing the best football players in the world" to City.
The statement also said City would qualify for the Champions League in the 2009/10 season.
However, BBC Sport understands that ADUG has only signed a memorandum of understanding - essentially a gentleman's agreement - with City.
The Middle East company wants to completely buy out the club, whereas Thaksin is eager to retain an interest in City.
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