Dubai International to make bid for Liverpool FC

[Dhav]

Do the right thing Gillett!!!! Get rid of your idiot of a partner.

And once you've done that, feel free to fall on your own sword you cunt

[Jayesh87]

And once you've done that, feel free to fall on your own sword you cunt

[Revo]

goes against the grain but parry needs to be given the benefit of the doubt until everything comes thru the wash. none of us know what the situation is

[Aus_LFC]

BAD NEWS


Buyout talk blow
Last Updated: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:10
liverpool

Sources suggest Dubai International Capital group no longer want to takeover Liverpool, despite their initial interest in the Reds.

There has been mounting speculation that the Arab consortium could bring an end to the short and controversial ownership of George Gillette and Tom Hicks, having originally expressed an interest before the Americans took charge, but that now seems unlikely to happen.

With some of the board reportedly unhappy with how things have been progressing under Gillette and Hicks, there have been claims of possible further outside investment.

But sources say any deal for Liverpool Football Club is not included in the future plans of DIC and the head of the consortium, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, who are to concentrate on a property portfolio and not football.

While there are Liverpool fans among DIC, the hierarchy does not share that passion and reports of a resurrected interest are wide of the mark, according to our source. The news will come as a blow to many fans who are unhappy with the owners' handling of Rafa Benitez whose position has been undermined this week, following revelations that the US duo met Jurgen Klinsmann to discuss becoming manager.

The current owners are looking to clinch a £350million refinancing deal, in order to fund the building of the long-awaited new stadium and if the US duo do secure that deal in the near future, then they are likely to remain in charge of the club.

[Nicey]

BAD NEWS


Buyout talk blow
Last Updated: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:10
liverpool

Sources suggest Dubai International Capital group no longer want to takeover Liverpool, despite their initial interest in the Reds.

There has been mounting speculation that the Arab consortium could bring an end to the short and controversial ownership of George Gillette and Tom Hicks, having originally expressed an interest before the Americans took charge, but that now seems unlikely to happen.

With some of the board reportedly unhappy with how things have been progressing under Gillette and Hicks, there have been claims of possible further outside investment.

But sources say any deal for Liverpool Football Club is not included in the future plans of DIC and the head of the consortium, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, who are to concentrate on a property portfolio and not football.

While there are Liverpool fans among DIC, the hierarchy does not share that passion and reports of a resurrected interest are wide of the mark, according to our source. The news will come as a blow to many fans who are unhappy with the owners' handling of Rafa Benitez whose position has been undermined this week, following revelations that the US duo met Jurgen Klinsmann to discuss becoming manager.

The current owners are looking to clinch a £350million refinancing deal, in order to fund the building of the long-awaited new stadium and if the US duo do secure that deal in the near future, then they are likely to remain in charge of the club.

Another Sources close to God Suggest the Universe is indeed made of Edam type piece of Boiled Tribe with Milk and sausages

[Radar]

So that's
Anyway, according to Tom's Dad, DIC has already made a bid of £320m for the club but it hasn't been accepted. Usual disclaimer follows: I'm just passing the info on so don't shoot the messenger if it's a load of bollocks or has already been mentioned by somebody else (I'm not ****ing reading all 16 pages)!

So G&H could walk away with $50 million each in one year.

Also you give insider info on stadiums

[Radar]

MORE BAD NEWS - Credit Crunch In US

U.S. Takes Out Debt-Consolidation Loan



WASHINGTON, DC—Plagued by late fees, high interest rates, and harassing creditors, the U.S. took out a debt-consolidation loan Monday, combining the nation's $6.1 trillion debt into a single, easy monthly payment.

"My fellow Americans, we have just taken the first step toward regaining control of our finances," said President Bush at a press conference. "Thanks to a joint arrangement between the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve, and E-Z Debt Services of Baltimore, we are finally on our way to freedom from debt."

As of press time, the national debt stands at $6,144,393,982,061.52.

Under the terms of the consolidation, E-Z Debt Services will repay the nation's estimated 45,000 creditors, a majority of whom are foreign investors, insurance companies, banks, and other privately held entities. In return, the U.S will make a single monthly payment of $9.26 billion, adjusted for inflation, to E-Z Debt every month for the next 70 years.

"We are proud to enter into this arrangement with the federal government," E-Z Debt spokesman Phil Rizzo told reporters. "We know how hard it is when you're buried under a mountain of bills with seemingly no way to get out. When you don't know where else to turn, E-Z Debt is there to help get you back on your feet."

The government first became aware of E-Z Debt Services on July 10, when Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) happened to see a commercial for the company while watching late-night television. Two days later, President Bush saw the same ad during a 3 a.m. M*A*S*H rerun.

According to White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, Bush was sitting at his desk clutching a fistful of past-due notices when he saw the ad.

"He was holding all these unpaid bills, and tons more were piled high on his desk, including a three-month-old bill from Lockheed-Martin for $5.3 billion worth of jet fighters," said Fleischer, who was in the Oval Office working late at the time. "He raised the handfuls of bills above his head and shouted, 'I can't take it anymore!' That's when the ad came on."

Enlarge Image Debt-Consolidation Jump

Bush poses with a Lockheed-Martin X-35A fighter that was saved from repossession, thanks to E-Z Debt.

After extensive meetings between E-Z Debt officials and the Treasury Department, an arrangement was reached which provided a manageable payment plan—with no threatening phone calls or military invasions from creditor nations.

Though the House Of Representatives swiftly and decisively approved the consolidation plan by a vote of 285 to 103, the Senate took longer to rally the necessary support, debating the issue for weeks.

"I was definitely skeptical about E-Z Debt, as were many of my colleagues," Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) said. "I'd heard horror stories about those debt services. England used one to get out of a recession in the late '80s, and they're still paying for it."

"But E-Z Debt is different," Daschle continued. "Jim [Smoller], our E-Z Debt representative, sat down with me and the other senators and really convinced us that debt consolidation was the way to go. He was extremely helpful, taking the time to patiently answer all our questions. He even gave us a free quote."

Opponents of the plan charge that it unnecessarily endangers the numerous national assets offered as collateral. Among the valuable properties being put up are Yellowstone National Park, NASA, and the state of Alaska.

"Holding the nation hostage to a single creditor is hardly preferable to the original situation," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) during a lengthy Senate debate on the consolidation. "Besides, I am confident that if we just trim a few unnecessary expenses from the budget and somehow get a little bigger GNP, we can climb out of this hole without help. We just need a little more time."

"Okay, so we mismanaged our money a little bit—who doesn't every now and then?" Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) said. "But that's no reason to resort to using one of those get-out-of-debt-now services."

Despite such opposition, ultimately, the Senate's pro-consolidation voices won out.

"In the end, everybody came to see that E-Z Debt isn't just another loan. It's a way to get out of debt without declaring bankruptcy," Daschle said. "Thanks, E-Z Debt. We couldn't have done it without you."

[AFII]

Hicks bid to keep control
EXCLUSIVE
By David Maddock 18/01/2008

Tom Hicks insisted last night he is determined to ride out the storm of protest building against him and resist any offer to buy his stake in Liverpool.



And the American billionaire (above) indicated that he and partner George Gillett will announce plans within the next few days relating to a new stadium and the finance to build it.

That will rule out any opportunity for Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, the world's richest man, to buy into the club. Sources within Anfield yesterday suggested that the events of the next few days will prove to be some of the most important in the club's long history.

Gillett is understoo0064 to have major doubts about his partnership with Hicks, and is now seriously considering an attempt to persuade his fellow American to sell out to DIC, the investment arm of the Dubai Government, with whom he hopes to join forces.

Dic still want to buy into Liverpool - despite losing out to the Americans a year ago, and it is understood that they are preparing a £150million bid for Hicks' 50 per cent stake.

That bid would carry weight if Gillett threw himself firmly behind it, by stating publicly what it is understood he believes privately: that his relationship with his fellow American has collapsed.

Certainly, Gillett has so far failed to fully support Hicks' plans to raise cash to pay for shares and the stadium build, leading to further speculation that he instead wants DIC to come in. But Gillett is wavering, and last night it appeared he was reluctant to go that far.

If Texan Hicks decides to sell, then the Arabs have promised to invest significant funds into the club, and help pay for the construction of a new

70,000-capacity stadium that will finally bring in desperately needed extra revenue.

But if - as seems likely - he holds on to his investment, the future of Liverpool will take a very different turn.

That would effectively signal that Hicks has won control of the powerbase at Anfield, and would then decide the direction the club will take.

It would also not only spell the end for manager Rafael Benitez - but also honorary life president David Moores, and chief executive Rick Parry, who oppose Hicks' plans to borrow heavily against Liverpool to pay for the stadium and the purchase of the club.

Last night a spokesman for Hicks insisted that the Texan was adamant he would not sell - despite DIC's renewed interest.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...9520-20289532/

[AFII]

Owners insist Liverpool are not for sale

By David Bond
Last Updated: 1:51am GMT 18/01/2008

Liverpool co-chairman Tom Hicks attempted to restore a sense of calm to the chaos engulfing Anfield last night as a spokesman for the Texan billionaire issued a strong denial that he or his partner, George Gillett Jnr, was preparing to sell the club.

The comments came after reports emerged claiming Dubai International Capital, the investment arm of the oil-rich state's royal family, were preparing to bid for Liverpool.

"Any suggestion that Messrs Hicks and Gillett are contemplating a sale of the club, or any portion thereof, to DIC or anyone else is categorically untrue," said Roy Winnick, a New York-based spokesman for Hicks.

Hicks is determined to drive through a plan to refinance around £270 million of debt by taking out a new £350 million loan with the Royal Bank of Scotland and America's fourth largest bank, Wachovia.

According to City sources, negotiations between the Americans and the banks remain on track with an announcement promised for early next week. But, significantly, Gillett maintained his dignified silence yesterday about a possible takeover or the refinancing.

The relationship between the two US sports tycoons has deteriorated in recent months following problems with the refinancing and an interview Hicks gave this week in which he confirmed an approach had been made to Jurgen Klinsmann to take over from Rafael Benitez as manager.

The success of the refinancing now depends on whether Gillett is able or willing to raise the £20 million in cash needed to secure the new loans, which are largely required to cover a one-year facility arranged with RBS last February to fund the Americans' £220 million takeover.

It also hinges on whether Gillett is prepared to approve plans to load at least half of the new debt on to the club's balance sheet.

If Gillett approves the refinancing deal then the Americans will shore up their position on Merseyside. If he refuses, DIC will have their chance to launch a £350 million takeover bid.

Although DIC are understood to be working on a deal, City sources indicated last night that reports of them being ready to launch their bid were premature.

The instability around the club has already led to a major backlash against the Americans from supporters who are angry at their treatment of Benitez. Yesterday that anger spread to the dressing room as midfielder John Arne Riise broke ranks to tell a Norwegian newspaper: "Benitez has given this club many trophies. He deserves to be treated with more respect."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai.../sfnliv118.xml

[Guest]

Cheers for that AF. He'll still sell I reckon.

If the board and more importantly the supporters massively oppose this deal, it won't go ahead. Banks wouldn't even want to loan this guy money if there's discontent amongst the majority of fans. This won't be a profitable venture anymore.

[Sarb]

**** man. Bad news compared to yesterday. But I'm hoping the Echo story is more accurate than the other tabloids. Fingers crossed

[Guest]

**** man. Bad news compared to yesterday. But I'm hoping the Echo story is more accurate than the other tabloids. Fingers crossed

I don't think it's less accurate, it's basically the same story but with words coming from their camp. They've been doing a bit of PR, IMO.

It's slowly coming to the point of no return for them, as I don't think many fans are behind them. How would they deal with angry supporters now ?

Hicks has lost complete credibility and he won't ever win back LFC supporters, even if he does a complete u-turn and apologizes. He just can't be trusted.

[sinbad]

If Texan Hicks decides to sell, then the Arabs have promised to invest significant funds into the club, and help pay for the construction of a new

70,000-capacity stadium that will finally bring in desperately needed extra revenue.

But if - as seems likely - he holds on to his investment, the future of Liverpool will take a very different turn.

That would effectively signal that Hicks has won control of the powerbase at Anfield, and would then decide the direction the club will take.

It would also not only spell the end for manager Rafael Benitez - but also honorary life president David Moores, and chief executive Rick Parry, who oppose Hicks' plans to borrow heavily against Liverpool to pay for the stadium and the purchase of the club.

I can see this stubborn hillbilly mutha ****er taking us down the road to oblivion. With these bumbling fools at the helm, I keep picturing a nightmare scenario of

Rafa replaced with a yankee yes man.
Failiure to qualify for the champ league.
Winning the League title a distant dream.
A half built building site in Stanley Park.
DIC Long gone.
And the Yank cocksuckers bankrupt with the club in administration.

Just praying Gillette makes the right decision for the future of the club.

[BrandonKop]

****, if Hick really stay , then I can see bad things will happen to our club...*sad*

[kurtangle01]

**** off Hicks and take that **** Gillett with you.