[Archived] Rovers Might Have Been Sold?

[rebelmswar]

Blackburn Rovers takeover bidder told to cease trading

:!:

In other news, Blackburn and Darwin 999 switchboards have been jammed by frantic wives screaming about suicide notes containing the words “Samba” and “Takeover”. In one fell swoop Alan Nixon, The Mirror Sport's transfer gossip specialist, has managed to top the suicide rates of Waco and Jonestown combined.

[DarrellH]

In other news, Blackburn and Darwin 999 switchboards have been jammed by frantic wives screaming about suicide notes containing the words “Samba” and “Takeover”. In one fell swoop Alan Nixon, The Mirror Sport's transfer gossip specialist, has managed to top the suicide rates of Waco and Jonestown combined.

Why would Australians have a problem with this news?

[RevidgeBlue]

Blackburn Rovers takeover bidder told to cease trading

:!:

Totally balanced and unbiased article there - I would say the latter part of it is bordering on being libellous as it clearly infers Mr. Syed is not worth what he says he is and that his family haven't really been involved in investment activities for the last 150 years etc.

If there is no foundation to these sneering innuendos I hope Mr. Syed's lawyers wipe the floor with Goldberg.

[John]

Why would Australians have a problem with this news?

The Aussies wanting to buy us maybe wouldn't.

[1864roverite]

WGA website still up and running. NO other credible media source is running with the alleged storyline so I certain it is not a nailed on exclusive for an internet sports site with little or no previous credibility.

Christ, even the Mail hasnt got a sniff of it and we all know how much they hate us

[DarrellH]

The Aussies wanting to buy as maybe wouldn't.

You missed the sarcasm, it was aimed at his spelling of Darwen.

[rebelmswar]

Why would Australians have a problem with this news?

That’s where Samba is going. The husbands, fearing their masculinity threatened, take matters into their own hands.

You did know that it was Samba who was the stand in for the clown scene in "Scary Movie 2" didn't you?

[John]

WGA website still up and running. NO other credible media source is running with the alleged storyline so I certain it is not a nailed on exclusive for an internet sports site with little or no previous credibility.

Christ, even the Mail hasnt got a sniff of it and we all know how much they hate us

The story originated from BBC 5 live.

[brfcshabba]

WGA website still up and running. NO other credible media source is running with the alleged storyline so I certain it is not a nailed on exclusive for an internet sports site with little or no previous credibility.

Christ, even the Mail hasnt got a sniff of it and we all know how much they hate us

They have taken it from the BBC site. What it doesn't say is when it was ordered to shut down. For all we know Syed could have mentioned this to Rovers a week or so ago.

Ok so it says two weeks ago, which was around the time he supposedly approached Rovers

[Hughesy]

Journo's trying to muddy the waters of a potential takeover bid of little old dirty blackeye rovers, well I never!!

[RevidgeBlue]

What is clear is that Mr. Syed has not yet put himself forward for the latest version of the fit and proper person test.

This so called story seems to be a clear attempt to portray him in a bad light just prior to that process taking place.

[tony gale's mic]

Totally balanced and unbiased article there - I would say the latter part of it is bordering on being libellous as it clearly infers Mr. Syed is not worth what he says he is and that his family haven't really been involved in investment activities for the last 150 years etc.

If there is no foundation to these sneering innuendos I hope Mr. Syed's lawyers wipe the floor with Goldberg.

To be fair, they said "claims" as the stories of his wealth aren't backed up by any reputable sources. Someone worth that many billions would ordinarily be in Forbes, would be well known in the Asian media, would at least have a few lines on Wikipedia.

[T4E]

Very very concerning.

[BuckyRover]

I cannot find another source that says that WGA have been asked to cease trading, only that from 5live. There doesn't appear to be a news item directly from the Bahrain bank.

I don't know what to make of it. It leaves a bad smell, but that could be the intent.

A Bahrain finance website is running the story, but again they are referencing the BBC article. I also looked on the Bahrain Trade and Industry Ministry website and there is nothing.

[John]

Just read the BBC report properly, it is pretty scathing and seems to question the validity of his wealth.

[SamDingle]

He's more Dev off Corrie than Uncle Jack.

At least you haven't made complete tits of yourselves over the last month.

[modes98]

I cannot find another source that says that WGA have been asked to cease trading

From my reading of it WGA has not ceased trading. It is one of his bahrain investment companies which has been asked to cease because it was being funded by a hidden investor. WGA is based and run from Switzerland so the Bahrain Government would have a job closing that down.

[JAL]

Blackburn Rovers takeover bidder told to cease trading

:!:

Suppose its better to be rumbled now before he gets the keys to Ewood Park than after. Excellent work by the journo, asks a lot of fit and proper questions, so it makes a bit of sense now why the national media were reporting about other interested parties for Rovers over the weekend.

[imy9]

From the same article:

"We are purchasing all our investments, e.g. J&M McCabe in Ireland or Landmark in Australia, through our Swiss entity (Western Gulf Advisory AG) and other European entities.

"This also holds for a takeover of Blackburn Rovers which will be acquired by Mr Ahsan Ali Syed personally as well as by his Swiss entity.

"Furthermore, we are currently setting up another European entity called WGA Sports for our sporting activities.

"Let me emphasise again that Bahrain is a separate entity that has got nothing to do with our investment activities at all.

With regard to the purchase of Blackburn Rovers our European investment team is handling the negotiations with the advisors of the Jack Walker trust which are proceeding very well.

"We are about to approach the Premier League to complete the paperwork soon."

Highlighted a few things, he is not suspected of war crimes (Thaksin) or potentially acquired his wealth in a dubious fashion (Roman), but it is Blackburn Rovers FC after all. Remember the bloke has purchased a £300 million share in McCabe only recently and a major land deal in Australia too, he obviously has money, if he passes the fit persons test then there is little to worry about.

[nicko]

Trying to work out what the article means exactly.

The only thing that would throw more light on it is a timeline.

WHEN did Syed's office get shut?

WHEN did he team up with John McCabe the builder?

WHEN did he let slip to two broadsheet newspapers that he wanted Rovers.

That might shed some light on this.

I can see why he would want Rovers as an investment - I can also figure out that he is in with a builder who might build a new ground [and whatever else].

From what I hear he is wealthy, the question I always asked was 'why?' and the answer to that would presumably be for some development reasons. No harm there in truth.

Fair play to the BBC guy. I wonder who gave him the tip? A rival bidder [of which there are at least two]? Or even a concerned party at the Rovers end?

All very intriguing. One thing for sure - maybe as well that the old due diligence process takes time rather than the 'lets get it done by the end of the window' bandwagon jumpers and hysterics.

[T4E]

From the same article:

"We are purchasing all our investments, e.g. J&M McCabe in Ireland or Landmark in Australia, through our Swiss entity (Western Gulf Advisory AG) and other European entities.

"This also holds for a takeover of Blackburn Rovers which will be acquired by Mr Ahsan Ali Syed personally as well as by his Swiss entity.

"Furthermore, we are currently setting up another European entity called WGA Sports for our sporting activities.

"Let me emphasise again that Bahrain is a separate entity that has got nothing to do with our investment activities at all.

With regard to the purchase of Blackburn Rovers our European investment team is handling the negotiations with the advisors of the Jack Walker trust which are proceeding very well.

"We are about to approach the Premier League to complete the paperwork soon."

All that does is make it sound like they knew they were doing something untoward in Bahrain.

[mogster]

Syed's Denial Already

[John]

Syed's Denial Already

Knew they would respond quickly!

Does Julia Thiem ever sleep??

[imy9]

But when asked whether he had been ordered to close down his foreign investment company, Syed's spokesperson Julia Thiem said: “No he hasn't. We do deny that.

“There is no hidden investor and I don't know where these stories come from. It is all very easily checked legally.”

Thats a pretty confident response and as John said quick!

[koi]

He did the deal with McCabe last month.