From supporters consultation meeting 2017
Andy Bayes: Quick question form the floor.
Paul Keogh: I think most people in this room or most supporters at home will be pleased to hear that we’re no longer linked to SEM and Kentaro. Does that also mean that Suhail Pasha no longer works for Kentaro? Because he did previously.
Paul Senior: Well I can’t comment on what he previously did but I do know that at this moment in time he’s not employed by those organisations; he’s employed by the owners. He looks after a number of the, or has a relationship with a number of the owners’ portfolios, including this Football Club - working in other countries as well. I have not been aware of any link or relationships between a professional at that level. He’s employed by the owners, by the club.
James: What’s his real name, Mike? Obviously on Linked in, he’s called Suhail Sheikh. Every news article I read – Lancashire Evening Telegraph, even yourself referred to him as Suhail Pasha. So what’s his name: Suhail Sheikh or Pasha?
Mike Cheston: I only know him as just Suhail.
Paul Keogh: My question is to Mike. It’s regarding Suhail: you’ve just confirmed that he is employed by the club. Does he have a title for the club at all?
Mike Cheston: Yes he does have a title.
Paul Keogh: Which is…?
Mike Cheston: Errrrrr errrrrrm Something like ‘Management Consultant’. I can’t remember the exact title.
Paul Keogh: And do you not find it a little bit concerning from your point of view, Mike, that Paul has come along tonight and confirmed that he can openly pick up the phone and speak to Belaji or Venkatesh over in India? You’ve been here for how long now?
Mike Cheston: Three years.
Paul Keogh: Three years and you still have to go through Suhail?
Mike Cheston: I don’t have to…
Paul Keogh: Well why is he here, then? If you can open dialogue with the owners freely, why are we wasting money, under the current financial position that we’re in, and paying a Director or ‘Management Consultant’ to jet between India and England? Is that not a drain on our resources?
Mike Cheston: I’ll confirm his exact title. I just can’t remember at the moment.