The Sultanate of Oman is "set to become a majority shareholder" in
Belgian Jupiler Pro League club Mouscron-Péruwelz, according to Samindra Kunti of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. As a result, Ligue 1 club Lille will "end its partnership with the Belgian club." Lille is a "majority shareholder in Mouscron-Péruwelz and the Belgian club has acted as a feeder club" since '11. In November both clubs "announced that they will part ways." Belgian
businessman Marc Coucke was the "main reason for the split." He holds a 5% share in the Ligue 1 club, "but is also chairman and
majority shareholder at Belgian pro league club KV Oostende." Coucke's
connections constituted a "conflict of interests." Lille has found a "surprising investor." Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said rules Oman. His net worth is estimated at $700M. Mouscron Chair Edward Van Daele said, "The state of Oman will have the majority in the hands, but we retain
ownership of our stadium and our training and accommodation facilities." Oman will pay a reported fee
of $3M to complete the acquisition (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 12/29).
