Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has aired a ‘potential issue’ with having Chinese owners and mentioned Fosun of Wolverhampton Wanderers as an example whereby international relations could cause problems.
In the summer of 2016, Wolves were taken over by Chinese conglomerate Fosun International in a deal believed to be worth £45m (per BBC).
However, in recent months, the relations between the UK and China have been deteriorating (as per BBC) due to issues including ‘Hong Kong, tech giant Huawei and alleged human rights abuses against China’s Uighur ethnic group’.
So, in the latest episode of the Price of Football podcast, Maguire discussed the deteriorating relations and aired that it may lead to a ‘potential issue’.
Initially, podcast host Kevin Day asked: “Could the Chinese government be putting pressure on these companies to not own Premier League clubs?”
Maguire responded: “It is a potential issue. I mean, the Chinese government has no direct involvement with the likes of Fosun or Southampton’s owners.
“Indirectly, clearly there are lines of communication. So, we have to hope that the relations between the UK and China improve.
“It is good to get people around the table and discuss their differences, rather than have hostilities.”
TIF Thoughts…
As can be seen in what Maguire had to say, supporters may have to hope that the relations between the two nations improve because a ‘potential issue’ could arise.
Can you see any potential issues arising surrounding Fosun's ownership of Wolves due to UK and China relations?
No, it seems unlikely
Yes, could be an issue
While it is unclear if the relations will deteriorate further, or even begin to improve in the near future, the Chinese government has accused the UK of “brutal meddling” in their affairs (per BBC).
The Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming has also stated: “We want to be your friend. We want to be your partner but if you want to make China a hostile country, you will have to bear the consequences.”
So, it certainly does seem as though the relations between the two nations are at a sour point, however, it is unclear what impact, if any, that would have on Fosun’s ownership of Wolves.