George Gillett Jr is firing another salvo in his dispute with Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks over control of the club, inviting officials from a Dubai consortium seeking to buy the club to yesterday’s Champions League clash with Chelsea.
Hicks has threatened to block Gillett from selling his 50 percent stake in Liverpool to Dubai International Capital (DIC), but the owner of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team is still hopeful of reaching a deal.
DIC has begun preparations for the transition of power, holding talks on Monday night with the most organized fans’ group, a person present told reporters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
DIC’s chief negotiator Amanda Staveley was said to have engaged in a “meeting of minds” with senior officers from Spirit of Shankly, which is named after former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly.
Gillett has invited the oil-rich group’s chief executive Samir Al-Ansari and Staveley to the first leg semi-final at Anfield yesterday, and they were to sit in the directors’ box, a person close to the negotiations said.
He was speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.
Gillett, himself, is not expected to make the trip from the United States due to illness, but his son Foster — a Liverpool director — is expected to be at the stadium.
Hicks is planning to make his first trip to Anfield since December.
With all three parties at the match, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is hopeful it won’t distract from the match.
“I don’t think the supporters will be thinking too much about the directors’ box,” Benitez said on Monday.
“They will be thinking about the game,” he said.
Gillett has vowed never to sell his stake to Hicks, who is determined to gain full control of the club.
Gillett has accused the Hicks of “creating turmoil” at Anfield ahead of the vital European matches by calling on Reds CEO Rick Parry to resign.
Gillett and Hicks bought Liverpool for £218.9 million (then US$431 million), but they are no longer on speaking terms after their disagreements over the direction of the club.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely