Fulham FC owner Shahid Khan has withdrawn his £600m offer to buy Wembley Stadium from the Football Association.
The move comes after mixed reactions from fans and the sporting world, with former England footballer Gary Neville among those critical of selling the national stadium to a private owner.
The bid was due to go to a vote at the FA Council next week.
Khan, the billionaire owner of Premier League club Fulham and NFL franchise the Jacksonville Jaguars, said: “Unfortunately, given where we are today, I’ve concluded that the outcome of the vote next week would be far from sufficient in expressing the broad support favoured by the FA chairman to sell Wembley Stadium.
“Until a time when it is evident there is an unmistakable directive from the FA to explore and close a sale I am respectfully withdrawing my offer to purchase Wembley Stadium.”
FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: “At a recent meeting with Mr Khan he expressed to us that, without stronger support from within the game, his offer is being seen as more divisive than it was anticipated to be and has decided to withdraw his proposal.”
Khan said he has not ruled out the possibility of future bids, if the Football Association were to provide greater support and a “unified view”.
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