TMCnet News
Qatari firm Ooredoo deny Liverpool sponsorship talk [Sport360](Sport360 Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Qatari telecommunications company Ooredoo have issued a statement strenuously denying any interest in becoming the new shirt sponsors of Liverpool Football Club. Al Jazeera had quoted an unnamed director of Ooredoo, formerly known as Qtel Group, claiming the firm was keen on replacing Standard Chartered as principal sponsors as well as acquiring naming rights to Anfield. However, a statement from telecommunications company, which is backed by the Qatari Royal family, have rejected the claims. "There is no basis for the current speculation linking us to the sponsorship of a Premier League Football Club," said a statement. "If the situation changes, we will – as always – be open and transparent in our announcements to the media and to our customers." Liverpool's current deal with Standard Chartered is due to expire at the end of the season, and although talks have taken place to extend the contract, Ooredoo had appeared to steal a march with quotes attributed to the director. "The goal was to sponsor a big English club with a huge history, our search included Arsenal and Manchester United but the former two have long sponsorship deals and the same applies to Manchester City, so Liverpool is the only club available right now," he was quoted as saying. "We want to sponsor the club in full. We want to sponsor the Stadium as well as the club's kits. Our goal is to reach the Asian markets where the Premier League has an enormous fan base. "We received the tender from the club a few days ago and we are currently in the process of due diligence and we are studying each aspect of the study. "It is a dual interest, Liverpool needs the money to compete with the European heavyweights and we want to expand our brand to reach new markets via football." Ooredoo would certainly have the financial means to take Liverpool, or any Premier League club, forward. They are an international communications company delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services in the Middle East, North Africa and South-East Asia. Ooredoo has a presence in markets such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, the Maldives and Indonesia. The company reported revenues of $9.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2012 and had a consolidated global customer base of more than 91.0 million people as of 31 March 2013. * For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook. (c) 2013 Gulf Sports Media All rights reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |