Else Beekman
Spanish prosecutors have called for a 14-year prison sentence for Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani and three of his sons, Nasser, Nayef and Rakkan, citing serious financial misconduct during their time in charge of Málaga CF.
The Al-Thani family members are facing serious accusations from prosecutors, who claim they misused club funds and made questionable business deals that served their own interests over those of the club. The investigation began in 2019, triggered by a complaint from the club’s Minority Shareholders Association (APA), and has gradually progressed to the point where a trial now seems imminent.
Prosecutors are also seeking to disqualify the Qatari family members from running any business entities for 14 years. They have also called for the family to pay compensation for the financial harm their leadership allegedly inflicted on the club. All three sons sat on the club’s board of directors, making them jointly responsible for the club’s operations.
Mismanagement and its consequences
Diario SUR writes that according to prosecutors, the Al-Thani family ran Málaga CF as if it were their own private business. They are accused of transferring club funds into personal accounts. Additionally they used the money for luxury goods and international travel with no connection to the team. Some of the deals made during their tenure reportedly lined the pockets of people close to the family, while key financial controls and oversight were routinely sidestepped.
The team’s collapse in the league was no surprise, given what was happening behind the scenes. In the 2017–18 season, the team finished last in La Liga and was relegated to the second division. This was the result of years of instability, not just a sudden collapse. Over nine years, the club changed managers 18 times, severely disrupting any chance of continuity or long-term planning. The club’s recruitment strategy was also deeply flawed. One example is the signing of Esteban Rolón, who failed to deliver on the pitch. His transfer later became the subject of a costly legal dispute. At one point, finances were so dire that the club reportedly considered sacking half the squad to stay afloat.
Broader accountability
Prosecutors also charged five other senior figures from that era. Moayad Shatat, Vicente Casado, Manuel Novo, Joaquín Jofre, and Roberto Cano face lesser charges. The prosecutors recommend sentences of around five years, depending on their individual roles.
Judicial oversight continues
In early 2020, the court suspended the Al-Thani family from their roles at the club and placed Málaga CF under judicial administration. Judge María de los Ángeles Ruiz appointed José María Muñoz to oversee the club’s affairs. The club extended since then his tenure multiple times, most recently until August 2025.
With over five years of investigations and court proceedings behind them, prosecutors now believe the case is ready to go to trial. A formal date is expected soon, marking a major milestone in one of Spanish football’s most protracted legal battles.
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