A member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family has bought a 50 percent stake in Beitar Jerusalem, the Israeli football team said. 

As part of the deal announced Monday, Emirati royal Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Nahyan pledged to pump NIS 300 million (£69m) into the leading Israeli club.

The announcement comes after the United Arab Emirates agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in a US-brokered deal earlier this year.

Owner Moshe Hogeg, who flew to Abu Dhabi earlier this month to pursue negotiations, said the deal heralded “new days of coexistence, achievements and brotherhood.”

Mr Hogeg, a tech entrepreneur who bought the team in 2018, previously spoke out against racism in football and even threatened legal action against racist fans. 

Beitar Jerusalem has faced repeated allegations of racism, with reports of offensive chants at football matches over the years.

Sheikh Hamad said he was “thrilled to be a partner in such a glorious club” and that he was aware of “the change taking place in the club”.

He also described Jerusalem as the “capital of Israel” in what is likely to be seen as a contentious move given the city’s disputed status among Israelis and Palestinians.