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PAI and that Hammers “embarrassment clause”

It’s a little tricky working out why PAI Capital would want to launch a bid for the Hammers in 2021!

Thus far the club has claimed there has been no proof of funds or indeed a £400 million bid whilst PAI say the opposite.

Both scenarios seem pretty pointless anyway given circumstances which seem to have been forgotten and should surely be remembered by any outfit wanting to get control of the club.

That’s called an ’embarrassment clause’ put in place when the Irons moved in as long term tenants and which isn’t due to expire until 2023.

That was put in place for the simple reason described in the clause itself – to save the stadium the owners embarrassment from a sudden pull out along with recompense should they do so.

The reality therefore is that even were GSB to sell out there’s no possibility of it happening before then  which one might have expected PAI to realise given they claim to be aware of the club’s financial situation.

In the meantime we can expect a few more press statements from them no doubt but probably not much more than that.

When they do so it might be a good idea to address the only real subject of interest to fans – how much they intend to spend on players with a minimum mentioned should a maximum prove too difficult.

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

3 comments

  • The Cat says:

    IF PAI were the type of owners we “WANT” they would’ve sold us the dream already and with that, would’ve probably had control of the club too.
    This isn’t “Half a Project”……. this club requires Serious People, with Serious Money to clear up the whole stadium mess and ownership before getting on to the real business of the infrastructure and the squad.
    All of the PAI publicity stunts are starting to wear a little thin and are annoying me greatly.

  • Chek says:

    I don’t think how much they intend to spend on players is the ‘ only real subject of interest to fans ‘ at all. I’m sure most fans have lots of other real subjects.
    The future of the stadium
    Investment in team facilities and recruitment ( or lack of)
    Club structure ( appointment of a proper dof etc )

    Spanking more money on buying players isn’t going to solve much if the deep rooted problems are not addressed.

  • Mr Buddy Lurve says:

    The whole thing with PAI stinks. I don’t care what anyone says in support of it – people will say anything if they’re paid or angry enough – I trust in the Devil I know than the trumped up, mouthy, classless Devil I don’t…

    Until they stop playing cheap PR tricks and start acting professionally with some concise detail, they are merely causing unrest.

    Is that really the type of people you want at the head of our club? No thanks. Jog on.

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