Liverpool supporters group Spirit of Shankly has requested clarity from club owners over a potential 30 per cent stake sale to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Bezos, the third-richest man in the world, is part of a billionaire consortium closing in on buying the stake in Liverpool Football Club for around £1.35billion.
The consortium also includes Facebook co-owner Eduardo Saverin and former Queens Park Rangers supremo Amit Bhatia. While the deal would boost cash-flow for owners Fenway Sports Group, who would retain overall control, supporters are questioning the long-term future of the club.
Spirit of Shankly confirmed it wrote to the club at the end of July following initial reports of a potential deal. The group asked when ownership expects to conclude a sale, what the purchasers will receive in return, such as board seats, involvement on and off the pitch, dividends or financial returns, and whether the move is a one-off or part of a wider sale.
Questions raised over investor plans and club control
The fans group also asked why Fenway Sports Group is considering the transaction and what due diligence is being conducted on the potential investors regarding their plans and involvement in sports or business elsewhere. In addition, Spirit of Shankly requested a meeting with the club.
The group reiterated that, given the events leading to the acquisition of the club by Fenway Sports Group, owner identity and control remain fundamental to fans. Spirit of Shankly stated: "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."
The statement added: "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 behaviours that many would not want to see at Liverpool."
Liverpool told Spirit of Shankly that club officials will meet with the supporters board if and when negotiations become more formal. Sources close to the deal and Fenway Sports Group insist that talks remain ongoing but no deal has been struck yet.
