Tottenham Hotspur board says club 'not for sale' after takeover approaches rejected

Tottenham Hotspur's board said late Sunday that owner ENIC Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd had "unequivocally rejected" two expressions of interest in buying the north London club and that Tottenham is "not for sale."

The announcement followed the sudden departure last week of executive chairman Daniel Levy, a move that had fuelled speculation about a possible takeover bid. The club's statement said ENIC had rejected approaches from two separate parties and that it "has no intention to accept any such offer to acquire its interest in the Club."

One approach was from PCP International Finance Limited, linked to Amanda Staveley, who was previously a shareholder at Newcastle United. The other was from a consortium led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited, the statement said. ENIC holds an almost 87% stake in Tottenham Hotspur. UK businessman Joe Lewis and his family own the majority of ENIC, while about 30% is held by Mr. Levy and his family, the statement added.

Mr. Levy served as the Premier League's longest-serving chairman, overseeing the club for nearly a quarter of a century. He is estimated to have earned more than £50 million ($67.5 million) during his tenure. He had increasingly been the target of regular protests by supporters, particularly in the past season.

The club did not disclose details of the preliminary approaches beyond confirming the identities of the parties named in its statement. The board's public rejection aims to end immediate takeover speculation that intensified after the abrupt executive change at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur have experienced a turbulent period on and off the field in recent seasons, with debates among supporters about governance and ownership often spilling into visible protests. Executive-level changes and the question of long-term ownership have been central to discussions among fans and observers since the conclusion of the most recent campaign.

ENIC's position as the controlling shareholder and its statement that the club is not for sale provide clarity for the short term, but they leave open questions about how the club will address performance, fan relations and executive leadership going forward. The board did not outline any changes to operational leadership or a timetable for future decisions in the statement.

Representatives for PCP International Finance, Firehawk Holdings, ENIC, and Daniel Levy did not immediately provide additional comment beyond the club's release. Media inquiries and regulatory filings typically follow when formal offers are made, but the board's categorical refusal of the two expressions of interest removes the immediate prospect of a change in ownership.

The rejection comes amid heightened scrutiny of Premier League club ownership and governance, driven by fan activism and broader debates about investment in English football. Tottenham supporters and analysts will watch whether ENIC and the club's board take further steps to address shareholder relations and supporter concerns in the coming weeks.