Search icon

Football

27th Sep 2018

FA board unanimously approve sale of Wembley to NFL owner

Shahid Khan is hyped

Oli Dugmore

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 24: In this handout image provided by UEFA, final preparations are made to the pitch at Wembley Stadium for the Champions League Final, May 24, 2011 in London, England. The UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC will be held at Wembley stadium on May 28. (Photo by UEFA via Getty Images)

Shahid Khan is hyped

The sale of Wembley has been discussed by the Football Association’s board and unanimously approved.

On October 11 the FA council, which consists of 127 members, will consider the sale. Its position will likely impact the board’s final decision.

Red Nev, Gary Neville, branded the potential sale to Fulham and Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan “ridiculous.”

Khan intends to relocate the Jacksonville Jaguars to Wembley if successful in purchasing the home of English football.

Wembley LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 26: Fulham owner, Shahid Khan looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Final between Aston Villa and Fulham at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The FA wants to use the profit from the sale to invest in community projects and facilities.

In a statement, an FA spokesperson said: “The sale of Wembley Stadium, the negotiated protections and an outlined plan to invest £600m into football community facilities, were presented and discussed at the FA board meeting today.

“Following on from this discussion, the FA board has agreed to take the presentation to the FA Council to get its input now that the full facts are known.”

Shahid Khan said: “The news from today’s FA board meeting is welcomed and encouraging.

“I understand the discussion was open and thorough. One cannot ask for more as we continue to work through the process toward reaching an agreement that will serve English football for generations to come.”

He also said the purchase had “no effect” on plans to renovate Craven Cottage, and the ground would continue as “the permanent home of Fulham Football Club”.