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Rumours that Liverpool Football Club may soon have new owners in the form of Dubai International Capital (DIC) continue to circulate despite a robust denial by co-owner Tom Hicks that he intends to sell his 50 per cent stake in the club. He said in a statement: 'Reports in the UK media that I am about to sell my stake in Liverpool Football Club, or to invite DIC to examine the Club's books in preparation for such a sale are absolutely and categorically false. The reality is that I am personally, professionally and financially committed to the club and its supporters and that I will continue to honour that commitment to the best of my ability now and in the future.' The statement repays close reading. Whilst it makes clear that a sale is not imminent, it does not state that one will never take place. Whilst it is clear that DIC have not been invited to conduct due diligence, it does not state that there have been no discussions between Hicks and DIC in the recent past, which has been suggested by some sources.
It is understood that the relationship between Hicks and his co-owner George Gillett has broken down. If Hicks rebuffed DIC, they could try to buy Gillett's stake, but such a move would be complicated by the fact that the two have an agreement to offer their shares to each other first should they decide to sell. All of this is a distraction from the club's bid to secure a Champions League place for next season. Liverpool fans would be glad to see the back of the American pair and have been discussing plans to found an AFC Liverpool.
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