THAI DEAL
ALMOST DONE
LIVERPOOL FC have agreed a deal allowing the Thai PM to buy a 30%
stake in the club, government officials in Bangkok claimed today.
A member of Thaksin Shinawatra's government was understood to be
on his way to the UK today to finalise the details on the £65m
deal.
Anfield chiefs are expected to make an announcement later this
week.
Thaksin believes the way has been left clear for him after the
Reds rejected a £73m bid from Steve Morgan last week.
Although the offer from the Thai PM aroused controversy when it
was first revealed last week, it is now the only bid left on the
table.
The only sticking point is thought to be the demand from the Thai
consortium that Liverpool hand over Far East marketing rights before
any contract is signed. But the impasse over lucrative marketing
rights is believed to be a minor stumbling block.
Thaksin said: "In principle, they have agreed to give it to
us and now we are working on the details.
"I hope we don't have any problems, but if we cannot agree
with Liverpool we still have alternatives."
Thaksin added: "Now 60% is comfortable and there is still
another 40% that we still have to discuss before we agree.
"We submitted the Memorandum of Understanding and they countered
with their draft, and we have to have further negotiation. Things
should conclude this week."
Thai government spokesman Santiparb Tejavanija was due to arrive
in Liverpool today to meet Liverpool FC officials.
But Liverpool supporters today called for an official club statement
on the proposed deal. "
Season ticket holder Kevin McDonnell from Aigburth said: "We
keep hearing from different people in Thailand, but we should not
have to rely on them for information.
"The club has a duty to the fans to put us in the picture.
We invest a great deal of time and money in Liverpool FC and it
is about time they remembered that."
Meanwhile, Sports Minister Richard Caborn was today questioned
about Liverpool becoming involved with someone with a questionable
human rights record.
He told BBC Radio 5: "It is up to Liverpool to decide who
they want to invest in the club.
"But it is important for clubs to have roots in the community
they are from.
"Liverpool have been fantastic in terms of this since the
days of Shankly and it is incumbent on the club to take this into
consideration."
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