A year without Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani

Seems like yesterday. A year ago today, María Ángeles Ortiz, head of the Court of Instruction Number 14 of Malaga, ceased its functions from the Board of Directors of the club formed by Abdullah Al Thani (president) and the directors Nasser, Nayef and Rakkan, sons of the previous one. He also appointed lawyer and economist José María Muñoz as judicial administrator for a period of six months that will last, at least, until August.

This process culminated after a complaint filed by the Association of Small Shareholders (APA) against Al Thani and their children for “unfair administration, misappropriation and imposition of abusive corporate agreements.” The adoption of precautionary measures was requested “given the seriousness of the facts found and in order to avoid the risk of the crime continuing to be committed.” The APA warned that the club was at serious risk of disappearance. The complaint went ahead and was supported by the City Council. The judge asked the club, LaLiga and the National Police for information to complete the instruction. Searches were made at the La Rosaleda offices to collect documentation.

As it is known, the club had entered a drift of self-destruction due to the poor management of the Al Thani. While the team, with 17 professional chips, sanctioned by LaLiga and with the salary limit exceeded, struggled not to drop, the sheikh and his sons had the entity as a personal bank for “their expenses.” High-end cars, hotels of a thousand and one stars, travel, luxury homes, racetrack, you… life dissipated while the club bled to death. The judge also asked the Al Thani for a bond of 5,443,556.24 euros for these self-granted loans, an amount that has increased to 8.5 million euros.

Respite for the fans

Generally, a receivership is bad news because it is a sign that a company is about to fail and in danger of dissolution. This is how Malaga was, who, to add more salt to the wound, was in all the national newscasts for the dissemination of an intimate video of their coach, Victor Sanchez del Amo, who was abruptly dismissed by then-CEO Richard Shaheen. Muñoz's first decision was to fire this American executive who liked ham, go jogging at La Rosaleda and have his picturesque spaniel taken for a walk.

Save a dying club

After the cessation of the Al Thani, a double battle was waged. On the one hand, the judicial administrator had the sole mission of saving a Malaga destroyed by Al Thani. On the other was the complicated court battle. Al Tnaní presented all kinds of resources to regain his command in the square while still wanting to boss around as he pleased as if he were the president (he even announced that Okazaki would return to Malaga with the success known to all. He is still in Huesca). He didn't win a lawsuit. Yes indeed. He maintains his mystical and levitating stupidities in social networks where every day he has fewer sycophants. The last thing he did to attract attention was to upload a photo announcing that he had been vaccinated against Covid …

Hard measures

The decisions made by the Receiver have been painful. He applied an Employment Regulation File (ERE) that affected 40 workers and eight footballers and had to agree with LaLiga a salary limit of 3'6 million euros, the lowest in professional football. The transfer of Antoñín to Granada, for 1.5 million euros, freed the club from being another Reus case.

The judicial administration will be extended in principle for another six months. At least until August. Two experts are valuing the luxury cars and the shares of the Al Thani for a possible subsequent auction in case someone interested in the club enters. It is not an easy path. There is much to do. The important thing is that Málaga, just a year ago, got rid of one of the most damaging presidents in its history.