Maguire: Křetínský’s purchase could mean trouble! Does West Ham have something to worry about?

Daniel Křetínský, Czech billionaire and owner of Sparta Prague, plans to buy a stake in West Ham United. All negotiations are expected to be completed in the next few days. However, according to Kieran Maguire, Křetínský’s purchase may in a way pose a problem.

The current owner of Sparta Prague is expected to buy a 27% stake in West Ham United in the next few days, which currently includes three Czech footballers – Tomáš Souček, Vladimír Coufal and Alex Král. The deal should include an option to take full control of the club.

Maguire, a football finance expert, speaks exclusively to Football Insider about the latest developments in the situation. He also makes the case that there would be a conflict of interest if West Ham and Sparta clashed in UEFA competitions.

“His ownership of Sparta Prague will be an issue if the two clubs meet in the European Cup,” Maguire told Football Insider.

But he also pointed to the myriad benefits that a Sparta and Hammers partnership would bring.

“West Ham could benefit a lot from a joint partnership (and not only in a purely sporting sense – ed.), but we don’t know if it would be at board level. But from Křetínský’s point of view, it would make sense that a minority stake would not be enough,” he adds.

He also noted that the impact of Brexit on football makes these and similar relationships useful. Maguire praises the connection in this regard. Conflicts of interest are always a problem, and not just in the sports sector.

However, given the other benefits that the merger will bring not only to English clubs but also to Czech football, it might not play such a major role. The Hammers would have nothing to worry about.

Source: Football Insider