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ShareLiverpool are maintaining their dream of owning the club for the fans, but in the meantime they have been having discussions with prospective bidders Dubai International Capital (DIC). It is believed that they have approached DIC with a business plan. American co-owner Richard Hicks was obliged to make yet another of his denials this week, refuting claims that he had rejected a proposal from DIC to put a fan on the board. Experience from clubs like Charlton shows that such individuals are bound by the legal obligations of commercial confidentiality and are sandwiched uncomfortably between the board and the fans. In any case, ShareLiverpool leader Rogan Taylor commented, 'Our long-term aim is to own the club completely. Putting a fan on the board is not enough for us, we want something more substantial.'
Taylor noted that much of the interest in the DIC arose from the way the American owners have treated the club. He said, 'The current ownership is extremely unorganised and has a radical split down the middle. DIC is seen as a sovereign investment fund. They have a number of significant projects, but they also reflect excellence as they have a connection with the Al Maktoum family.' Bob Kabili, the chair of Dubai Reds (an official supporters' club) agrees, saying, 'Dubai are being treated like saviours. Having lived and worked in the UAE for three or four years now, I think there is a shrewd side to businessmen here.' So it looks like that eventually the Liverpool franchise (as it was originally called by its current owners) will pass to a sovereign wealth fund from the UAE. What would Bill Shankly say?
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