 Prospective Takeover of Arsenal?
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October 3 2007
Arsenal fan groups unite against prospective takeover
LONDON (AFP) — Arsenal supporters have given their backing to the Premier League club's current board amid continued talk of a takeover at the Emirates Stadium.
Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has bought up nearly a quarter of the club's shares and is keen to increase his stake. His decision to appoint former Gunners vice chairman David Dein to led his investment company Red and White Holdings has sparked suggestions that a battle for ownership of the English league leaders is on the cards.
But the Arsenal Independent Supporters' Association (AISA) and fellow fans group RedAction are both concerned by Usmanov's comments this week that his long-term ambition is to own the club outright.
An AISA statement read: "We do not support moves for effective control of the club to be transferred to any one individual or company, and particularly not to investors and others that have no long-term connection or involvement in Arsenal Football Club.
"AISA is totally opposed to any changes in the ownership of the club that would lead to a major increase in debt or in securing short-term profits through significant hikes in ticket prices."
A RedAction spokesman added: "We have been astonished by some of the comments from Red and White Holdings.
"This board of directors have delivered the premier stadium in Europe and most importantly have re-signed Mr Wenger to continue our playing development over the next few years."  |