Liverpool's official supporters' union, Spirit of Shankly (SoS), has issued a statement emphasising that the interests of the club and its fans must remain a priority amidst reports of a potential deal for a significant minority stake in the club.
As reported by Sky News, a consortium of investors led by Amit Bhatia, son-in-law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, which includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, is nearing a purchase of around 30% of the club's shares. Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), have confirmed that Bhatia's group has approached them and an official announcement may be forthcoming.
Main points of the potential deal and fans' stance
- Investor composition: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos (net worth over $280 billion) and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin ($33 billion) are part of a consortium led by former QPR co-owner Amit Bhatia.
- Questions for the hierarchy: Spirit of Shankly representatives have sent an official letter to Liverpool's hierarchy requesting a meeting to clarify the level of influence the new investors could have and their plans for the club's management.
Concerns from fans:
Who owns our club and how it’s managed with the interests of Liverpool and its fans at the forefront is fundamentally important to us all. We’ve seen similar sales at other clubs that led to changes in management and decisions that many wouldn’t want to see at Anfield.
