Inter Milan Owner Massimo Moratti said that he has decided to sell at least part of his shares to Indonesian magnate Erick Thohir "in order to increase revenue and make the brand global," according to FOOTBALL ITALIA. Serie A President Maurizio Beretta said, "This vision of the future needs to be a guiding light for the future of all of us. After all, international investors only show an interest in precious things." Federation President Giancarlo Abete "also commented on the internationalisation of Serie A." Abete: "It's true, we need to stick together more in Italian football. The interest of a foreign investor in our clubs makes us proud, as it shows the activity of the movement" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 8/4). FANATIX's Sumeet Paul wrote "it is understood that Moratti will sell a 70% majority stake in the club" worth €300M ($397M). Former Owner Ernesto Pellegrini pleaded with his successor earlier this week not to sell the club to "a stranger." However, Moratti explained that "his decision will benefit the club and its supporters in the long-term." Moratti: "I am acting in the interest of fans. Inter can then be managed in a new, modern way" (FANATIX, 5/4). SOCCEREX reported Moratti maintains that the Thohir deal is not concerned with addressing the club's debts, "but instead boosting revenue generation" that has dipped from €251M in '10 to the current figure of €170M ($225M). Moratti: "The real problem is turnover. That's what's needed for development: it's a commercial problem if we really want to define it in business terms" (SOCCEREX, 8/5).
