Reports that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum wants to buy Liverpool FC came as no big surprise to me. I follow the news about his Godolphin horse racing empire in Newmarket and am a keen follower of this sport.

I can quite understand why the Crown Prince of Dubai wants to challenge Roman Abramovich, a little bird told me during a recent visit to Newmarket’s horse sales that the Russian billionaire had two buyers there on the lookout for top racehorses for Abramovich. I cannot imagine the Sheikh was too pleased about that.

While a Liverpool fan believes there are advantages to having a new royal boss, it seems that UEFA is concerned that the rise of powerful, money-rich owners could “destroy the game”.

Their spokesman said:

“The immediate threat in the short term is a huge increase in the gap between the haves and the havenots, and in the long-term, it may lead to inflation in wages and transfer fees and a concentration of power that could destroy the game.”

An FA spokesman described it as an “emotive issue”, that they were bound by laws on what they could do.

“There are laws which govern businesses and takeovers and we have a fit and proper persons test.But it would be inappropriate to discriminate on the grounds of nationality.”

Surely only billionaires can afford to spend £450 million on buying a football club, as well as the extra millions needed to invest in players. When was the last time that happened in the UK? This means we need to accept the globalization of ownership.

The Sheikh’ friends speak of a man who is fiercely competitive and highly ambitious. Reports suggest he is the world’s fifth richest man, but he does not enjoy finishing fifth.

The Sheikh is also a spiritual man, this quote from his website could be pinned up in the players’ changing room to help inspire them:

“The word ‘impossible’ is not in leaders’ dictionaries. No matter how big the challenges, strong faith, determination and resolve will overcome them.”

Besides the investment, I think the Sheikh would make an excellent ruler of Liverpool FC, he would bring a new dimension to the sport and be driven by his constant desire to be No 1 in the world.

Do you agree with UEFA that too many money rich owners could destroy the game? Can Liverpool FC afford to miss out on this golden opportunity?

Pic courtesy of The First Post.

Update: Thanks to Guardian Unlimited for giving this post a plug listed under “best of the web”.