United Nearly in Glazer’s Hands
Tampa Bay Buccaneer owner Malcolm Glazer is fractions of a percentage point short of taking control of English soccer club Manchester United.
Glazer’s company, Red Football, said its stake in the world’s richest soccer team increased to 74.81% by the close of trading Friday in London. Glazer needs 75% for control.
The company also told the London Stock Exchange it would borrow $490 million to fund the $1.47-billion takeover. Remaining shareholders were expected to receive Glazer’s formal buyout offer by mail next week. Glazer is offering $5.55 a share.
Glazer’s son, Joel, said in a statement the family was “delighted to make this offer to acquire one of the preeminent football clubs in the world.”
“We are long-term sports investors and avid Manchester United fans,” said Joel Glazer. “Our intention is to work with the current management, players and fans to ensure Manchester United continues to develop and achieve even greater success.”
Meanwhile, the NFL’s finance committee said it would review Glazer’s bid for the club.
Glazer and his family could borrow up to $125 million using the team as collateral, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.
Buccaneer General Manager Bruce Allen said the Glazers had not used any part of the team for collateral.
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France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez’s suspension for spitting on a referee was extended until the end of December -- possibly signaling the end of his international career. Barthez will sit out France’s four remaining World Cup qualifiers and two friendlies.... Brazilian star midfielder Ronaldinho said he wants to play in next month’s Confederations Cup in Germany, although Brazil had been expected to field a second-string squad.... Midfielder Luis Figo agreed to return to the Portugal national team, nine months after quitting international soccer.
Tennis
Roger Federer beat Guillermo Coria, 6-4, 7-6 (3), to advance to the semifinals of the Hamburg Masters in Germany. Federer will play 15th-seeded Nikolay Davydenko, who beat Filippo Volandri, 7-6 (5), 6-4. French teenager Richard Gasquet also advanced to a semifinal, sweeping past Andreas Seppi, 6-1, 6-2, in 52 minutes. He will face qualifier Christophe Rochus, who rallied to beat Juan Ignacio Chela, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.
Top-seeded Maria Sharapova easily advanced to the Italian Open semifinals at Rome with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Elena Bovina. Sharapova will face eighth-seeded Patty Schnyder, who cruised past Evgenia Linetskaya, 6-1, 6-0. Defending champion Amelie Mauresmo advanced with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Conchita Martinez. Mauresmo will next Vera Zvonareva, who beat Francesca Schiavone, 7-5, 7-6 (4).
Motor Sports
Kasey Kahne won his third pole position in as many tries and became the first driver in Richmond (Va.) International Raceway history to sweep the top spot in the Busch and Nextel Cup races.
Kahne won the Nextel Cup pole by edging Ryan Newman, who was driving a backup car after crashing in practice earlier.
Carl Edwards passed Elliott Sadler with one lap to go after a green-white-checker restart in overtime, depriving the Virginia native of his first victory in his home state. The win at Richmond International Raceway was the second for Edwards in only 14 starts in the Busch Series.
Miscellany
Olympic champion Justin Gatlin was upset in the 100 meters at the Qatar Super Grand Prix in Doha, finishing third behind Athens silver medalist Francis Obikwelu of Portugal and Shawn Crawford of the U.S. Obikwelu, in his first race of the season, clocked the year’s best time of 10.05 seconds. Crawford and Gatlin each finished in 10.14. The women’s 200 was won by Allyson Felix of the U.S. in 22.78.
The NHL players’ association canceled a players-only meeting to discuss the status of labor talks that had been scheduled for May 24 in Toronto. No reason was given for the cancellation.
It is expected to be announced on Monday that UCLA’s basketball team will play Nevada in the Wooden Classic on Dec. 10 at the Arrowhead Pond. The other matchup has Washington against New Mexico.
Duke junior forward Shavlik Randolph has made himself eligible for the NBA draft, the school said.
Former NBA player Ralph Sampson was arrested in Atlanta on two felony counts of failing to pay court-ordered child support, U.S. Attorney Paul J. McNulty said.
Thomas Boeh resigned as athletic director at Ohio to take the same job at Fresno State.
Clay Rush made a 31-yard field goal as time expired to give the Colorado Crush a 52-49 win over the Nashville Kats in an Arena Football League game at Denver.
A team of top U.S. boys’ high school basketball players and the U.S. women’s under-19 national team will compete in a tournament at San Diego State June 7-12 as part of the International Sports Invitational, a six-nation event organized by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
USC football Coach Pete Carroll will receive the 10th annual Courageous Leadership Award from Women Against Gun Violence (WAGV) on May 22 at the Luxe Hotel in Bel Air.
