Getafe confirm Dubai deal

Getafe president Angel Torres has confirmed the sale of the La Liga club to the Royal Emirates Group for a fee of up to 90 million euros.

The Dubai-based Royal Emirates Group announced they had completed the takeover last Thursday, before Torres reportedly said the next day that a deal had not been finalised.

After four days of limbo, Torres has now confirmed that the sale will go through, bringing with it a much-needed increase in the club’s budget to approximately 65 million euros.

Getafe finished sixth in La Liga last season, but are down in 14th this time around, just two points clear of the relegation zone with five matches remaining.

“We trust in the people that come so the club can keep growing,” Torres said, referring to the new owners.

“I’m a winner. I’m not content to be in 14th place or suffering like we have this year. I want to be among the top six and in European positions.”

“Neither me or my partners have money or help from the Spanish banks to build a project, or a budget to make that a reality.”

The takeover deal attracted controversy after it emerged that the club was to be rebranded ‘Getafe Team Dubai’ in a publicity stunt from the new ownership.

But the Royal Emirates Group have since confirmed the original name and crest will not change, while the present staff of the organisation will be retained.

Getafe mayor Pedro Castro insisted that he would not allow Getafe use of the public Coliseum Alfonso Perez Stadium if the name change went ahead.

“If I’m here it is to guarantee the social policies – no matter who owns the club,” Castro said.

“If it is not like this, these are municipal facilities and are not going to be used for any other things than these social policies.”

“I say it clearly – they are municipal, 100 per cent of the council, and it is the council who decides how they are used and if these social policies that Getafe have been maintaining are fulfilled.”