. He's holding out for 800 million, if not more.DAILY POST
Revealed: How Dubai plan to put fans on Liverpool board killed deal
Mar 11 2008
TALKS between Liverpool’s co-owner Tom Hicks and Dubai International Capital collapsed after DIC proposed putting a fans’ representative on the Anfield board.
It is understood the Dubai negotiators wanted a supporter representative in the boardroom with full voting rights.
The plan to give fans a stake in the club’s running followed a trip to Liverpool by a representative of DIC who met members of supporters’ groups campaigning for the Americans to sell.
Billionaire Hicks swiftly pulled the plug on discussions held yesterday with DIC, saying: “Based on a meeting held earlier today in Dubai between my representatives and officials of Dubai International Capital LLC, as well as other recent contacts between us and them, I have decided to terminate any further discussions with DIC regarding their possible purchase of a minority stake in Kop and, in turn, in the club.
“DIC made it clear that if they invested in the club, they would want it to be managed by committee.
“Based on my 13 years of successful experience as an owner of professional sports teams, and based in particular on the situation at Liverpool Football Club over the past year, it is clear to me that such a committee approach would not be in the best interest of Kop, of the club or of the club's loyal and passionate supporters.
“Accordingly, I have decided to exercise my right under the Kop Football (Holdings) Limited partnership agreement to veto any sale of any portion of Kop and the club to DIC.
“I and my colleagues and representatives will continue to explore a number of other options with regard to the ownership of Kop and the club aimed at achieving an appropriate ownership, financial and organisational structure for Kop and the club over the long term.”
DIC have made no official comment since, but significantly have not said they are no longer interested in purchasing the club – or a significant stake in it.
It is understood their interest has not waned despite Hicks calling off the deal. It has also been suggested Hicks wanted the Dubains to pay for the building of the new stadium and for future transfer fees, but without any real say over big decision regarding the club’s future.
There has also been no comment from American co-owner George Gillett, who has fallen out with Hicks and has made no comment for many weeks and whose name has been missing from all recent statements issued from America.
Gillett is understood to have agreed in principle to sell 49% of his half stake to DIC, and the other 1% to Hicks to give the Texan a controlling interest.
DIC have accepted that Hicks will not sell his share in Liverpool in the near future, but would insist on a clause giving them first refusal to buy his stake.
As far as Liverpool are concerned, it is back to square one with Hicks and Gillett at loggerheads – even more so now the Texan has vetoed the sale – and There are only 17 months until the £350m loan the Americans took out in January has to be refinanced again.
Furthermore, another loan of around £300m will have to be taken out to finance the building of the new stadium at Stanley park.
Fans today reacted with dismay to the decisions. Les Lawson, secretary of Liverpool Official Supporters Association, said: “This has gone down like a lead balloon. We just want Hicks and Gillett to do what’s right for Liverpool Football Club.
“Hicks is doing this because he wants to run LFC in a particular way. DIC were saying they wanted to run the club by committee, that’s how it has always been done.
“I just hope they don’t walk away, but continue to force the issue.
“As far as I am concerned, there is no way Hicks and Gillett are going to win back the trust of the supporters.”
A spokesperson for Tom Hicks later denied the claims saying: "With regard to a report claiming that talks between [Tom Hicks] and Dubai International Capital collapsed after the Dubains proposed putting a fans representative on the Anfield board," I can confirm after consultation with Mr. Hicks and his representatives at the meetings with DIC that at no time during any such meetings did DIC propose, nor did Mr. Hicks or his representatives reject, any such proposal."

Rush Job wrote:Bet ya DIC give Rafa a new contract, bet ya anything.



Toffeehater wrote:I rmb reading somewhere if DIC do take over , they're gonna sack rafa and what happens if they do? what will the views of them be in here , we all know pee wee will be opening the champagne bottles , what abt the rest of the posters here?


Dundalk wrote:Interesting...
A day after Hicks broke off negotiations on a partnership deal with Dubai International Capital, the correspondence underlines the Dallas businessman's determination to stop George Gillett selling his shares to DIC.
In the emails, Hicks blames Gillett for the calamitous PR own-goal of approaching Jurgen Klinsmann as a replacement for manager Rafa Benitez last November before going on to criticise him for holding the club back.
"I have a large investment and plan to make a bigger one," Hicks told one fan in an email, later published on the internet. "Gillett has held us back financially, but that will change. In the end, one person must have responsibility for making decisions. It has been very difficult for George and me to agree on things (Klinsmann) and DIC wanted their people to have an equal vote on things like keeping Rafa (I will), signing players and managing the business.
"The club has not been run very well for a long time now. I intend to fix the problems."
In another email, Hicks writes: "I have taken huge risks because I believe our club can be the best in the world again.
"Gillett knew Klinsmann from Vail [Colorado]. In hindsight, it was a big mistake, but I have publicly, and privately, backed Rafa since our meeting December 16th.
"The finances will be fine. We are playing much better. DIC has been playing the press like a drum. Our new stadium will be the best in the world."
Hicks' exchanges with fans are part of a new charm offensive to persuade supporters to drop their opposition to his long-term ambitions to remain in charge at Anfield.
However, fans' groups have expressed their anger at Hicks' decision to call off talks with DIC as they closed in on a £170 million deal with Gillett for his 50 per cent stake. Hicks says he has the power to block the sale.
Les Lawson, secretary of the Liverpool Supporters' Association, said: "As far as I'm concerned, there is no way Hicks and Gillett are going to win back the trust of the supporters."

Dundalk wrote:Interesting...
A day after Hicks broke off negotiations on a partnership deal with Dubai International Capital, the correspondence underlines the Dallas businessman's determination to stop George Gillett selling his shares to DIC.
In the emails, Hicks blames Gillett for the calamitous PR own-goal of approaching Jurgen Klinsmann as a replacement for manager Rafa Benitez last November before going on to criticise him for holding the club back.
"I have a large investment and plan to make a bigger one," Hicks told one fan in an email, later published on the internet. "Gillett has held us back financially, but that will change. In the end, one person must have responsibility for making decisions. It has been very difficult for George and me to agree on things (Klinsmann) and DIC wanted their people to have an equal vote on things like keeping Rafa (I will), signing players and managing the business.
"The club has not been run very well for a long time now. I intend to fix the problems."
In another email, Hicks writes: "I have taken huge risks because I believe our club can be the best in the world again.
"Gillett knew Klinsmann from Vail [Colorado]. In hindsight, it was a big mistake, but I have publicly, and privately, backed Rafa since our meeting December 16th.
"The finances will be fine. We are playing much better. DIC has been playing the press like a drum. Our new stadium will be the best in the world."
Hicks' exchanges with fans are part of a new charm offensive to persuade supporters to drop their opposition to his long-term ambitions to remain in charge at Anfield.
However, fans' groups have expressed their anger at Hicks' decision to call off talks with DIC as they closed in on a £170 million deal with Gillett for his 50 per cent stake. Hicks says he has the power to block the sale.
Les Lawson, secretary of the Liverpool Supporters' Association, said: "As far as I'm concerned, there is no way Hicks and Gillett are going to win back the trust of the supporters."
RUSHIE#9 wrote:I believe that the boycotting idea is nigh on unworkable in reality. As other posters have said if regulars don't go to the games then others that can't get regular tickets or day trippers will take their place and still line this toe rags pockets.
I think a more effective course of action would be for non confrontational organised pickets (probably by S.O.S) of the VIP's entrance to the Main stand and the corporate guests entrances in the Centenary stand.These corporate guests/box owners pay big bucks for these seats and if the fans are picketing their entrance they won't like it. Many of these corporations use the boxes/seats for wooing prospective clients and current customers and it won't make them look good if their customers are having to walk by mass demonstrations against someone who is very similar to them making them feel uncomfortable (but not intimidated). This would hopefully result in them pulling the plug on their big fat corporate hospitality packages which will certainly hit Hicks where it hurts - the wallet.
I think that the most effective course of action for us fans to take en mass is to stop buying merchandise of all shapes and sizes thus making Hicks' pockets a little less emptier.
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