Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has been pictured meeting chairman of the Dar Al Sharq group H E Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani at the World Cup.
The Peninsula Qatar reports today that the Everton owner was at the clash between Argentina and the Netherlands last night at the Lusail Stadium.
It was here he met with H E Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani in one of the corporate boxes, with the outlet sharing a photo of the pair alongside each other.
There is no mention if the meeting was simply a chance one or an arranged one between the pair, but it is likely to spark takeover rumours, nonetheless.
Moshiri has owned Everton since 2016 and has steadily increased his holding in the club since then, despite a disappointing return on his investment and near relegation from the Premier League last season.
That has been followed by increasing rumours he is looking to sell the club and this meeting with an eminent Qatari businessman is only likely to add fuel to the fire.
H E Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani is the chairman of several public companies in Qatar, including Qatar International Islamic Bank and EZDAN Holding Group, one of the ‘largest and most reputed companies’ in the country according to website Qatari Businessmen.
Prisa report he is also an ‘avid sports fan’ and a ‘key benefactor’ of sports events and domestic sports associations. Indeed, just last week he was elected as the Honorary President of Arab Federation for Sports of People with Disabilities.
This meeting, then, appears to be nothing more than one between two prominent businessmen at a sporting event but it is perhaps something to keep an eye on, particularly with Moshiri continuing to be linked with an exit from Goodison Park.
Chairman of Board of Directors of #DarAlSharq Group H E Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani meets with Farhad Moshiri, President and Owner of Everton FC, during the match between #ARG and #Netherlands, held yesterday at Lusail Stadium. #Qatar #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/LBhIRpSOo5
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) December 10, 2022