Melbourne City is now under the complete ownership of EPL giant Manchester City following the reported payment of $ 2.25 million, to buy out a consortium of prominent Melbourne investors led by sports entrepreuner Bart Campbell. Documents lodged with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) last week indicate the sale has taken place.

The consortium, which includes Gerry Ryan and New Zealand businessman Michael Witt, currently owns NRL club Melbourne Storm. It previously held 20 per cent ownership of Melbourne City in 2013 when Manchester City became involved in the club as part of its push to own clubs around the world.

The EPL club owns a majority share in US Major League club New York City FC and a 20 per cent stake in Japanese club Yokohama.

Another A-League club looking for a change of ownership is Brisbane Roar. Indonesian conglomerate Nirwin Bakrie, who are the current owners of Roar, are looking to sell the club and have reportedly told the FFA they won’t inject any more money into the club, making it unclear who will pay playing staff and coaches in August.

The month of August could bring Brisbane Roar’s financial issues to a head. August 19 is the deadline for the Roar to pay 12 months of rent owing to Queensland Rugby Union for the use of its facilities at Balleymore, or else the liquidators are set to move in and wind up the Brisbane Roar company. Brisbane Roar chairman Chris Fong claims the club has agreed to a sale price with an unnamed buyer but that the legal action threatened by creditor QRU, could scare off the buyer.

QRU chief executive Jim Carmichael said in a statement that the financial difficulties surrounding Roar should prompt the FFA to examine the ownership models of A-League clubs, so as to provide “a level of comfort” to creditors which allow it to happen.

Source: AFR, AAP