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Indonesian tycoon takes over Inter Milan

Inter Milan President Massimo Moratti announced on Tuesday that he has signed a deal with Erick Thohir, an Indonesian businessman, to take over the football club.

Published: 15 October 2013 12:38 CEST

Indonesian tycoon takes over Inter Milan

Erick Thohir (L). Photos: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images North America/AFP (L) and Giuseppe Aresu/AFP (R)

The deal was reached after six months of negotiations and will see Thohir own 70 percent of Inter Milan, La Repubblica said.

Thohir has been linked with a takeover of the Italian giants since last season when Inter finished in a disappointing ninth place and failed to qualify for European competition.

Following their dismal 2012-2013 season, Inter's value has dipped to an estimated €316 million, according to Forbes business group which rates it as the 14th most valuable club in the world.

Inter could now be in line for a cash injection that could boost their bid to build a new stadium and create a winning team which they can then market around the world.

Inter, the last Italian side to win the Champions League in 2010 when they won the treble under Jose Mourinho, are reported to be desperate for a move away from the San Siro ground they share with city rivals AC Milan.

But Moratti has previously said he wants the club to take advantage of ripe markets in Asia which English Premier League giants like Manchester United have exploited.

"As a club Inter needs to expand and break into new markets. And with Erick (on board) this would be possible," Moratti was quoted as saying on August 3rd.

Gazzetta's newspaper report claimed last month that Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population, already boasted 11 million Inter fans.

Thohir will become the first Asian owner of a major Serie A club but he is no stranger to investing in major sports.

The son of Teddy Thohir, co-owner of the automotive group Astra International, the 43-year-old Thohir owns shares in basketball side, the Philadelphia 76ers, as well as being a majority shareholder in DC United, a Major League Soccer team.

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Inter snatch last-gasp draw in Milan derby

Inter Milan's forward Ivan Perisic from Croatia celebrates after scoring the equaliser. Photo: AFP

Milan, looking to move up to second behind Juventus after Roma's 2-1 slip-up earlier at Atalanta, were seconds away from securing the local bragging rights.

Suso broke the deadlock on 43 minutes and hit a brilliant second before the hour after Antonio Candreva had given Stefano Pioli's men hope with a well-struck but controversial 53rd-minute leveller.

However Milan's celebration plans were promptly cancelled as Perisic, the Nerazzurri's star player on the night, coolly side-footed past teenaged goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from a knocked-on corner in the first minute of added time.

Milan remain third and level on points with Roma, with both seven points behind leaders Juve. Inter are up to ninth.

It was new Inter coach Pioli's first game in charge of a Serie A club since being sacked by Lazio following a 3-1 defeat to city rivals Roma in April.

The 51-year-old saw his team dominate an enthralling opening half that had Donnarumma on his toes only for Suso to fire Milan into the lead just before the break, and he wants improvements up front.

“To score goals you need determination and a little anger, this is certainly something we have to improve on,” Pioli said afterwards.

“We have to find players who have this kind of attitude.”

Although not a direct reference to Inter striker Mauro Icardi, who failed to add to his league-leading tally of 10 goals on the night, the Argentine has been warned.

He was one of several Inter players to spurn chances in a dominant first half in front of over 77,000 fans.

Perisic sent a flying header from Danilo D'Ambrosio's cross just wide with one of Inter's best chances in the opening period, before they suffered a blow when tough-tackling defender Gary Medel hobbled off to be replaced by Jeison Murillo.

Milan went in front shortly after, Giacomo Bonaventura holding the ball up on the edge of the area before setting up Suso for a superb curling shot that beat Samir Handanovic at his far post.

Milan threatened first after the restart, Bonaventura beating Geoffrey Kondogbia to see his drive deflected out by D'Ambrosio.

Furious protests

But minutes later the hosts were left furiously protesting a refereeing decision not to call a foul after Manuel Locatelli tumbled under a challenge on the left flank.

Inter's quick throw-in went straight to Candreva, who strolled across the edge of the area to beat Donnarumma with a superb shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

Milan coach Vincenzo Montella said later: “The referee had a great game tonight, but on that incident it was borderline.

“The ball did come off Locatelli but he was pushed into the ball and Inter took the thow-in quickly.”

But Inter's joy was short-lived.

Spaniard Suso played a one-two with Carlos Bacca and then produced some fancy footwork to get away from Joao Miranda before firing a shot past Handanovic and into the far bottom corner.

Yet Inter came fighting back and a great lob by Candreva set up Perisic for a left-footed first-time effort that inched wide of Donnarumma's far post.

Inter's persistance paid off as Milan made the mistake of leaving Croatian star Perisic with enough space to equalise.

“It's always disappointing when you concede so late in a game but the lads should be happy with their performance, their attitude and commitment was spot-on,” said Montella.

“They'll have a little trouble sleeping, but they shouldn't. We'd be a lot more disappointed if we had 10 points less.”

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