Derby 'off the market' as investment deal collapses

Turki Alalshikh is one of the world's most powerful boxing promoters [Getty Images] Saudi Arabia government official Turki Alalshikh has abandoned his proposed investment into Derby County. The deal with Alalshikh's Lion Sport looked set to go ahead, having been sanctioned by the English Football League and the Independent Football Regulator. But Derby were told on Monday that Alalshikh no longer wanted to continue with the purchase of his stake. "For the benefit of any doubt, the club is now off the market," a club statement said. "It will continue to operate under the loyal, committed and unwavering support of Clowes Developments." A deal that would have seen Alalshikh, the co-founder of boxing promotion company Zuffa, take a stake in the Championship club had been on the table with English football's independent regulator since May. The proposed deal had raised concerns among human rights campaigners, including Amnesty International, which last month said the independent regulator faced a "defining test" over the investment. Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority - and someone who is close to the Kingdom's de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman - has been criticised by human rights groups for his role in alleged 'sportswashing'. Saudi Arabia has been accused of using sports to improve its image in the wider world to distract from its human rights record, treatment of women, use of the death penalty and its anti-LGBT stance. As well as being the owner of Egyptian club Pyramids between 2018 and 2019, Alalshikh recently owned Spanish side Almeria but sold the club to an investment group from Saudi Arabia last May. Latest Derby County news, analysis and fan views