Qatar’s Amazing New Project in Madrid

The name Getafe may not mean much to most football fans in Europe. Even in Spain, it is a club which enjoys a fairly low popularity rating. Club in a dormitory town in the southern suburbs of Madrid, the Geta is even often mocked for its lack of supporters and its often quite empty stadium, even if it has improved in recent years. It must be said that with behemoths like Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, it is difficult for Getafe, a relatively recent club (1983), to attract crowds.

The ultra-defensive style of play advocated by Pepe Bordalas is also a subject of mockery and jokes across the Pyrenees, although it turns out to be very effective since with a very meager budget, the Azulones are always very competitive and this season again, they are in a good eighth position in the La Liga standings. A small permanent miracle therefore, especially since the club was stripped last summer and with the constraints linked to financial fair play, Bordalas must constantly tinker, having even started the season with only 13 registered first team players. Another subject of mockery of which Getafe is the victim: its president Angel Torres, close to Florentino Pérez and a big supporter… of Real Madrid. Which therefore applies to Blues a club label friendly to the Merengues, against whom, according to Barcelona and Colchoneros fans, they would not really put up any resistance during the duels between the two teams.

A rival for Real Madrid and Atlético?

You will have understood, Getafe is clearly not a team which fills stadiums or which pushes fans to throw themselves on their sofa with popcorn in hand. However, the club could enter a new dimension soon. JTA International Investment Holding, a Qatari group, is in the process of buying the club according to many Spanish media. A significant injection of money for the club, which will also have a naming for the stadium and a new jersey sponsor in the operation. JTA, a very powerful group which operates in civil infrastructure, transport and tourism, among others, wishes to continue its expansion and launch into sport, with a first investment in Europe.

Getafe was chosen as the ideal club and Amir Ali Salemi, CEO of the company, confirmed the very advanced negotiations for the takeover from Marca. And the objective is obvious: to make Getafe a football stronghold in Spain. “The takeover would mark a new chapter in Spanish football and in Qatar’s global investment strategy”he said, confirming serious ambitions. Even if it should be noted that these are private and non-state funds as is the case at Paris Saint-Germain for example. But before dreaming of doing like the Parisians and one day capturing the Champions League, (a few) Getafe supporters will surely remain cautious… In 2012, a false sheikh disguised as such during his media appearances and who was in reality only a Brazilian waiter had tried to buy the club with blank checks, before the scam was discovered at the last moment. This time, it still looks more serious!