Function: ambassador and beamer: billionaire Sawiris makes his way back to FC Luzern

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Samih Sawiris (66) is back! The Egyptian-Montenegrin billionaire, who acquired a 12.5 percent shareholding in FCL Holding AG in 2011, is now a shareholder in ‘his’ football club again. He acquired the same 12.5 percent stake from Vice President Josef Bieri. Not for tactical reasons in the legal dispute with majority shareholder Bernhard Alpstaeg, as Sawiris emphasizes in the “Luzerner Zeitung”, but as “foundations for the future”. With a broader shareholder base, such disputes can no longer occur».

Sawiris assumes a fundamental error

In 2019, after the dispute with Alpstaeg started, Sawiris resigned from the board of directors, of which he had been a member for eight years. He then sold his stake in Bieri in 2021. Sawiris had done this at the time to seek a peaceful solution to the confused situation with Alpstaeg.

Sawiris now points to a fundamental flaw in the sale at the time, which has now reversed it. A legal trick. But apparently there is no opposition from Alpstaeg and according to spokesperson Sacha Wigdorovits, Alpstaeg viewed the new shareholders as a “positive sign”. And further: “The FCL is more broadly supported by the participation of established Central Swiss entrepreneurs.”

Andermatt attracts an unexpected clientele

Sawiris are a colorful breed in Central Switzerland. But not primarily because of his involvement with FC Luzern, but because of his huge investments in the tourist resort of Andermatt, which was completely transformed under the billionaire’s leadership and today attracts a clientele that one could not even dream of in the pre-period. Sawiris era had dared. The five-star hotel “The Chedi” is now one of the best Swiss hotels and is, so to speak, the epicenter of Andermatt Swiss Alps. Sawiris had luxury apartments built around the hotel, most of which have been sold, as well as a concert hall. A family hotel and other apartments are also planned as part of the merger of the Andermatt and Sedrun ski areas.

The FCL should take advantage of Sawiris’ aura

The return of Sawiris can also be seen in this light: the ever-smiling beamman, who was able to bathe the shadowy Andermatt in bright luxurious spotlight, is back on board. And if one succeeds, it should be easy to portray the football club so beloved in Central Switzerland – at least the part that has no Alpsteag – in a similar light after the ugly house dispute. “We are happy to have him back on board as an ambassador,” said Bieri. Sawiris will beam at these words. As usual.

Source : Blick