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Football · Level 9: Master · Sub-level 9.100

Football Finance — Billionaire Ownerships

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

The money behind modern football, in detail: Abramovich, Sheikh Mansour, QSI, the Glazers, PIF, Red Bull, multi-club groups, family owners, owners from China and the US, and the Super League and regulation.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Abramovich's ChelseaTake a test

  1. Bates had bought the club for £1 in 1982; Abramovich paid about £140 million including debts.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  2. He had built his wealth in the privatisations of the 1990s.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  3. Chelsea's first league title had come in 1955, under Ted Drake.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  4. Mourinho replaced Ranieri, who had been in charge when Abramovich bought the club.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  5. The club ran under a special government licence until the sale went through.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  6. The price was about £2.5 billion, with further investment promised.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  7. The money was held in a UK account while a foundation for Ukraine was set up.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  8. 2003, 2004, 2012 and 2021.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  9. 1982, 2003 and 2022.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  10. Chelsea won on penalties in Bayern's own stadium, with Drogba scoring the last kick.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

Test 2Sheikh Mansour's CityTake a test

  1. The former Thai prime minister had owned the club for a year.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  2. City paid Real Madrid £32.5 million on deadline day.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  3. Their last title had come in 1968.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  4. '93:20' is painted on the stadium to mark the moment.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  5. Soriano and Begiristain came from Barcelona as chief executive and director of football.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  6. CAS cut the penalty to a fine and found some charges time-barred.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  7. The City of Manchester Stadium took the name of Abu Dhabi's airline.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  8. 2008, 2012, 2020 and 2023.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  9. Swales from 1973, Shinawatra in 2007 and Mansour from 2008.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  10. He is a member of the Al Nahyan family and a vice-president of the UAE.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

Test 3QSI and PSGTake a test

  1. It became sole owner in 2012.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · recall

  2. Al-Khelaifi also chairs beIN Media Group and the European Club Association.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  3. It was paid by triggering Neymar's release clause.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  4. The deal, worth €180 million, was structured to help with financial rules.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  5. He played the second half of the season and won the French league.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  6. They had lost the 2020 final to Bayern in Lisbon.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  7. He scored more than 150 goals in four seasons.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  8. 2012, 2017 and 2021.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  9. 2011, 2017, 2020 and 2025.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  10. The fund also bought a minority stake of about a fifth in the Portuguese club Braga in 2022.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

Test 4The Glazers' buyoutTake a test

  1. The NFL team won the Super Bowl under the family in 2003.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  2. Much of it was borrowed and the debt was moved onto the club.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  3. The campaign against the owners' debt used the colours of the club's first name.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  4. The protest followed United's role in the Super League plan.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  5. A listing in Singapore had been planned first and dropped.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  6. Woodward, a banker who had helped arrange the takeover, stepped down in 2022.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  7. His six children kept control of the club.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  8. 2005, 2010, 2012 and 2024.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  9. Gill to 2013, Woodward to 2022, Arnold to 2023 and Berrada from 2024.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  10. Ratcliffe's INEOS bought about a quarter of the club; Sheikh Jassim's full takeover bid failed.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

Test 5PIF and NewcastleTake a test

  1. Ashley had owned the club since 2007; Staveley was part of the buying group.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  2. It was a fraction of what later takeovers of big clubs cost.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  3. The league also needed assurance that the Saudi state would not control the club.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  4. Al-Rumayyan is the governor of the Public Investment Fund.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  5. They beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley; their last domestic trophy had been the 1955 FA Cup, and their last major one of any kind the 1969 Fairs Cup.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  6. Howe replaced Steve Bruce and kept the club up before qualifying for Europe.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  7. They finished fourth in 2022-23, their first top-four finish in twenty years.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  8. 2007, 2021, 2023 and 2025.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  9. 2003, 2008 and 2021.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  10. The PIF holds 80% of the club and also owns several Saudi Pro League clubs.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

Test 6Red Bull's clubsTake a test

  1. SSV Markranstädt's licence gave the new club a place in the fifth tier.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  2. The initials still match Red Bull's, which is what critics object to.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  3. Red Bull changed the club's colours and history, and the fans started again in the lower leagues.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  4. They play at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  5. They beat Freiburg on penalties in Berlin.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  6. His appointment surprised many at his old clubs Dortmund and Mainz.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  7. The club won promotion to Serie A that season and played on as Red Bull Bragantino from 2020.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  8. 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2019.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  9. 2009, 2014, 2016 and 2020.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  10. It became Red Bull Salzburg, now the dominant club in Austria.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

Test 7Multi-club groupsTake a test

  1. Players moved between the clubs, which were often cited by later groups as a model.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  2. Its failed bid for Everton was followed by the loss of several of its clubs.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  3. Several young Chelsea players have been sent to Strasbourg.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  4. Textor also held a large stake in Crystal Palace until 2025.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  5. INEOS also owns Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  6. UEFA allowed both after changes to the ownership structure.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  7. Lyon ranked higher in the league and kept their Europa League place.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  8. 2012, 2013, 2023 and 2024.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  9. 2017, 2019 and 2024.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  10. Botafogo beat Atlético Mineiro in Buenos Aires and also won the Brazilian league that year.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

Test 8Berlusconi, the Agnellis and family ownersTake a test

  1. The players' presentation at the Arena Civica set the tone for a showman owner.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  2. He sold in 2017; Milan won five European Cups and eight league titles under him.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  3. Monza reached Serie A in 2022.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  4. Edoardo Agnelli became president in 1923.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  5. Angelo Moratti built the Grande Inter; his son Massimo won the 2010 treble.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  6. The board resigned together; Juventus were later docked points over transfer valuations.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  7. The Peugeot family founded the club in 1928 and sold it in 2015.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  8. 1923, the 1960s, 1986 and 2017.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  9. 1986, 2017, 2018 and 2022.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  10. The Chinese businessman defaulted on a loan a year later and the fund Elliott took control.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

Test 9Owners from China and the United StatesTake a test

  1. Oaktree took over the club, which had won Serie A under Suning in 2021.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  2. The sale followed a court battle over the club's debts.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  3. The Red Sox had ended an 86-year wait for a World Series in 2004.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  4. He bought out Alisher Usmanov's stake.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  5. Fosun's links with the agent Jorge Mendes shaped the club's signings.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  6. RedBird had also bought Toulouse in 2020.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  7. Edens, co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Sawiris rescued Villa from financial trouble.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  8. October 2010, June 2016, July 2016 and 2022.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  9. 1995, 2013, 2016 and 2024.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  10. Suning's Inter won the league in 2021 before the group lost the club.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

Test 10Protests, the Super League and regulationTake a test

  1. Six from England, three from Spain and three from Italy.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  2. Fan protests outside Stamford Bridge and elsewhere helped end it.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  3. Agnelli was a vice-chairman; Pérez kept pushing the plan after others left.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  4. Juventus later left the project too.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  5. The court did not approve the Super League itself; it found UEFA's approval rules unfair.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  6. A22 proposed a new format with promotion and relegation.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  7. Crouch's 2021 review recommended an independent regulator, created by law in 2025.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  8. 18 April 2021, 20 April 2021, December 2023 and 2024.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  9. 2021, November 2021 and 2025.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

  10. The European Court of Justice sits in Luxembourg; Strasbourg hosts the human rights court and Lausanne the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

    Source: Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting · applied

Sources

FIFA and UEFA official records / club records / contemporary match reports / published histories and biographies / audited club accounts

  • Club accounts and announcements; Premier League and UEFA statements; contemporary business reporting100