The café – modelled on the Planet Hollywood concept – will feature memorabilia from the Argentinean footballer’s career, and also include items from other soccer stars such as Brazilian heroes Pele, Zico and Dunga.

It will be developed by UAE property tycoon Sulaiman Al Fahim, architect of last year’s Manchester City takeover.

Maradona’s cousin Remigio Martin Maradona said “It will be a football café featuring themes from many football greats, not just Maradona.”

“It will be dedicated to soccer, with screens showing World Cup goals, and shirts, balls, gloves and other items donated by people like Pele,” he added.

Remigio Maradona – who is also the Permanent Observer to the UN Economic and Social Council – added that a proportion of revenues from the café would be donated to the battle against malnutrition around the globe.

Maradona also works as a Goodwill Ambassador of the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM).

“This is a very important cause and I am very passionate about doing everything possible to reduce malnutrition, which is killing millions of people a year,” Maradona said.

“This café will be a good way to use the Maradona name, and the support of many of the world’s greatest footballers, to attract attention to our cause and also help support it financially.”

Maradona added: “We’ve been working very closely with Dr Al Fahim on humanitarian issues, and this project is also something we are very excited to do with him.”

No date has been set for the launch, although it is expected that Diego Maradona himself will attend the opening in Dubai.

“This cafe will be a celebration of football and football stars, and we will use it as a platform in our battle against malnutrition,” Al Fahim added.

Source: Arabian Business

Of course with such illustrious guests comes added problems! He has a 24 hour security protection team – or something like that – as there is a danger of a terrorist attack. Here are some more photos of his time in Dubai…

When I first came across this I thought – why? Everyone knows investing in football, soccer, call it what you will, is a mug’s game (that’s London speak for a fool’s paradise!) No one really makes money from football, not really. So why on earth is a UAE bank setting up an investment fund … then it all became crystal clear:

“Middle East investors are seeing the value of the sports industry, in general and the football sector in particular, and we’re excited to build on that. Now, through the Hero Global Football Fund, Emirates NBD can show its clients that you don’t have to be a billionaire to invest in this booming industry and, at low minimums, you too can participate in the transfer market which has shown itself to be a huge growth area of the game.”

Rick Pudner, CEO of Emirates NBD, goes on:

“The business model is realistic, assuming that two thirds of players will not become professionals. Of those that do make it, many will join second-tier clubs. The financial success of the fund does not depend on finding the next David Beckham: rather, on producing a steady flow of competent, professional footballers.”

So there you have it, the fund will target young players in Asia, Africa and South America and then sell them to clubs! Its a nice idea on paper, after all, most transfer fees these days are in their millions, even for the sub standard players and if they can produce a steady stream of sub standard players and then they will have hit a jackpot.

However, they might actually find it harder than they imagine, after all every football agent and his dog are also on the prowl.

The chairman of the Linx Group of Companies in Dubai wants to talk to Ken Bates regarding a possible takeover. As it stands, provided that the CVA agreement is successfull Bates will regain control of the club, with Uncle Ken no doubt looking to make a personal profit.

Sheikh Mirdad told the Daily Star Sunday: ‘Leeds United is a prestigious club that has, in the recent past, suffered setbacks. My vision is to bring the club back to its former glory.

‘The club has a huge fanbase and because of the history and the desire of the people of Leeds to see Leeds United back in top-flight footbal we think this may be the ideal challenge for us.’

The current poll here at Vital Leeds is asking you just who you want to be in control of the club for next season. Have your say now!

Source: Vital Football