Liverpool fan group Spirit of Shankly says it has asked five key questions amid FSG takeover talks involving Jeff Bezos, with reports suggesting the deal could happen this week
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.(Image: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Liverpool supporters group Spirit of Shankly (SOS) says it has written to the club to ask several questions about the ongoing talks, which involve the Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, that could see FSG sell 30 per cent of the Reds.
Led by Amit Bhatia, the former QPR owner, a group of investors has made clear that it would be interested in acquiring a stake in Liverpool FC from FSG. Reports earlier in the week suggested that a deal could be concluded as soon as this week.
Amid those claims, SOS has expressed some potential concerns that it would like answers to on behalf of Liverpool fans should the move progress further, which appears likely to be the case.
SOS says it wrote to Liverpool at the end of July to "seek further information and greater clarity" of what a sale would mean should it go ahead.
Several questions were posed:
When is the ownership expecting to conclude a potential sale?
What will the purchasers get in return —board seats, level of involvement in the control of the club on and off the pitch, dividends or other financial returns?
Is this part of a planned wider sale, or a one-off?
What is the reasoning for FSG considering such a sale?
What due diligence is being done on the potential investors/owners? This is about their plans, reasons for purchase and involvement in sports or business elsewhere
SOS added: "We also asked for a meeting and reiterated that, given the events that led to FSG’s purchase of the club, who owns it and how they control it — putting the interests of LFC and its supporters first — is fundamental to us all.
"The latest report of a 30 per cent sale and the consortium set up to buy it is significant. The ownership and custodianship of our club is paramount to SOS and all supporters.
"We have witnessed similar sales at other clubs resulting in notable changes in the running of that club and football operations, leading to decisions and behaviors that many would not want to see at Liverpool.
"The club responded by saying that if anything became more formalized, they would be willing to meet with the Supporters Board. As yet, we have no further information but will keep members informed."
In addition to Bezos, Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is also involved in the consortium. According to Sky News, the deal, which would value Liverpool as a whole at around $6BN, could be confirmed within days.
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Bezos, 62, is the fourth-richest man in the world, with Forbes estimating his worth at over $280BN. He has never invested in soccer before but was previously linked with a move into NFL.
Saverin, 44, is said to have an estimated personal wealth of around $32BN. "The Social Network", where Saverin was played by Andrew Garfield, tells the story of his time working alongside Mark Zuckerberg when Facebook was formed.
It is speculated that the consortium could be eyeing an eventual full takeover of Liverpool, though it would be a minority stake for the time being.