49ers dealt ‘major headache’ due to Leeds, legal papers submitted
Leeds United could be about to cause a major disruption in 49ers Enterprises’ investment plans in football elsewhere.
Paraag Marathe and his financial arm of the NFL giants are looking to execute a takeover of Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, with a 51 per cent share aimed towards by a consortium led by Marathe and US health insurance tycoon Andrew Cavenagh.
But Leeds could put a major spanner in the works to destroy the plans of their ownership group, and potentially cost Rangers significantly as collateral.
Leeds United and Daniel Farke could cost 49ers and Rangers
Leeds head into their midweek showdown with Middlesbrough off the back of just one win in their last six Championship games.
Farke knows his job is likely to be on the line should he fail for a second-straight season to return the Whites to the Premier League, particularly in the circumstances in which they would do so.
Alarm bells have sounded even more loudly for the Elland Road support, as they witness their side tumble out of the automatic promotion places for the first time in months, having succumbed – hopefully briefly from their perspective – at the hands of Sheffield United and surprise new leaders Burnley.
According to the Scottish Sun (8 April), ownership regulations currently imply that 49ers Enterprises would not be able to support a takeover at Rangers if Leeds remain in the Championship.
The report described the situation as an increasing “major headache” and noted that legal papers were in submission for review: “It’s all a major additional headache as the incoming regime bids to make a fast start and make squad improvements required to give [Rangers] a fighting chance at Champions League qualification,” said author Stewart Fisher.
“Legal papers are paid have now been submitted and are under review by all parties.”
Should Farke’s team earn promotion, this will not be an issue – as was notably a similar case with Bill Foley’s Black Knights investment group which has maintained interests in both Premier League side AFC Bournemouth, and Scottish Premiership club Hibernian.
However, there remains a chance that due to planned EFL summer rule changes in this field, Leeds and Rangers could both become business interests for Marathe’s group even if Farke fails.
Championship promotion now on a knife-edge
Leeds have shot themselves in the foot in the past, and are doing so again.
Farke and his squad looked to have affirmed themselves in the ascendancy, having crucially beaten Sheffield United just seven days after effectively eliminating Sunderland from the automatic promotion race back in February.
They also grabbed a goalless away draw at Burnley to maintain the gap that existed at the time, but now their paltry record has seen the chasing duo take advantage.
| POS | Championship table 2024-25 | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 1 | Burnley | 40 | 84 | +43 |
| 2 | Sheffield United | 40 | 83 | +26 |
| 3 | LEEDS UNITED | 40 | 82 | +51 |
Middlesbrough moved into the play-off places at the weekend and are buoyant as they invite Leeds to the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night (8 April).
Farke’s side have endured mixed fortunes against that of Michael Carrick so far this season, with a 3-1 win at Elland Road in December avenging a 3-0 Boro success on Leeds turf way back in August in the Carabao Cup.