Two pieces of separate news offer an glimpse of evolution in the battle for West Ham’s beleaguered boardroom after a torrid summer.
As Claret and Hugh wrote earlier this morning, Amanda Staveley’s attempt to launch a bid for shares in the club does not appear to have been thwarted by Daniel Kretinsky’s manoeuvrings to hold onto the Gold shares: Staveley appears ready to pivot towards David Sullivan’s 38%.
Separate from this, but just as relevant, comes an article this morning confirming that the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) – the largely unknown quantity in this saga, owing to their nascent status and therefore the unpredictability of their involvement – has now been in contact with the Police as part of their enquiries over the Sullivan allegations.
As Matt Lawton in theTimes.com wrote last night:
“Now, The Times understands, the regulator has been in touch with both Essex Police, which is investigating the claims made against Sullivan, and the FA as part of the new checks it can make under its new owners, directors and senior executives (ODSE) framework.
A spokesperson for the independent football regulator (IFR) said: “The IFR’s enquiries into the suitability of David Sullivan under our ODSE regime are active and ongoing and we are in touch with relevant authorities as part of this process.”
West Ham fans will wonder of the conflation of the two stories might make a sale at Staveley’s inflated price look more appealing to West Ham’s former Chairman.
David Sullivan attended the London Stadium for West Ham’s opener
Given the choice, few West Ham fans would shed a tear at seeing the departure of their ex-chairman and a new era of Kretinsky – Staveley ownership.
Whatever that may look like, however the two might work out ‘leadership’ between them or their financial backers, it could only offer progress West Ham United itself.
David Sullivan denies all allegations made against him
Will Kretinsky walk away if Staveley gets a majority shareholding?
It’s possible. He has plenty of other ‘hobbies’ to keep him busy.
That Times Journalist is a bit of a Sherlock isn’t he? The IFR say “we are in touch with the relevant authorities” and the journalist then “understands” they are in touch with Essex Police, no really? The standard of journalism in this country is at sewer level since Murdoch bought into it.
My concern in all of this is that the IFR may freeze all boardroom activity until the Sullivan issue is resolved. When you think how long the Paqueta investigation took and the ridiculous hold up with the Man City case, that could be very worrying
Unsurprising that IFR would need to discover from police and FA if there are reasons to presume any wrongdoings by David Sullivan.
Their duty and raison d’etre is to establish any facts of unsuitability.
I’m more interested in how such an incompetant bloke could ever be chaiman of a footbal club. He’s why we have so much DEBT……Businessman HAHAHAHAHAHA..
2 be honest with you Martin. i cant see you getting many replies 2 this mate. reason being i don’t believe any West Ham supporter gives a ”MONKEYS” about Sullivan or what he’s up 2 mate sorry
Staveley is my preference The Czec guy has been here a while but dosnt seem to have his heart into W Ham He didnt buy Golds shares over the last few weeks begs the question why Plus dont forget he is joint owner of Sparta Praugue who are achieving european football with plans to build a brand new ground Perhaps that’s where his loyalties really are at
Lock him up and throw away the key.
Interesting timing…
The panorama sequence “coincidentally” ties in with Staveley (with all her top notch godly contacts) wanting to take over everything..
Couldnt be linked in any way.. of course