Turkish media owner Acun Ilicali has announced plans to acquire the British football club Hull City A.F.C, owned by Egyptian-British industrialist Assem Allam, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
Allam is an Egypt-born tycoon based in East Riding of Yorkshire. He is the owner of Allam Marine, an industrial generator manufacturer.
He is among the few African tycoons who own a globally renowned football club. The price of the transaction has not been disclosed. However, Turkish media estimate that Ilicali offered some $28 million to Allam to buy the club’s shares.
“We made good talks. Both sides understood each other well. They (the club’s board) trust us,” Hurriyet Daily News reported Ilicali as saying. “Negotiations have started, I hope my dream will come true.”
Ilicali said he dreams of a “Hull City team full of Turkish footballers and a Turkish coach.”
Possible reasons for the sale
Rumors regarding the potential sale of the EFL League One club have been abound for years after a fallout between the Allam family and the club’s supporters.
While speaking with The Totally Football Show, sports journalist Adam Crafton said the club’s supporters resent the Allams despite how much they have invested to keep the team at the top of the table.
“It can be traced to two major events, one of which was the attempt to change the name from Hull City AFC to Hull Tigers, and the fallout that resulted from that – the relationship has never recovered,” he said.
“Then on top of that, there’s been other issues, such as the removal of concession ticket prices for children or pensioners at home matches,” Crafton added.
