SAUDI ARABIA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Liverpool co-owner George Gillett visits but refuses to answer questions about possible investment in the former European champions

Record ID: 189172

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Liverpool co-owner George Gillett visits but refuses to answer questions about possible investment in the former European champions
  • Date: 16th October 2009
  • Summary: RIYAHD, SAUDI ARABIA (OCTOBER 15, 2009) (REUTERS) (CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY) VARIOUS OF LIVERPOOL FC CO-OWNER GEORGE GILLET WITH SAMI AL JABER, CAPTAIN OF THE AL HILAL CLUB GILLETT WITH THE AL HILLAL GOALKEEPER AL HILAL CLUB EMBLEM ON DOOR GILLETT ENJOYING LOCAL HOSPITALITY GILLETT AT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH PRINCE ABDULLAH BEN MUSAED, FORMER AL HILAL CHAIRMAN AND BROTHER OF PRESENT CHAIRMAN (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL FC CO-OWNER GEORGE GILLET SAYING: "I believe that is a marvellous, marvellous asset and to the extent that Liverpool can be involved in any way in assisting in engaging those youths in even more reacreation, more soccer, at a higher level through the academy system that we've been talking about, we would be privileged to be a part of that process. The goal of our visit was really twofold. The first is with regard to the potential academy system development and we've had I believe very positive meetings both with the government, the administration of the sport and with the clubs and so we're very enthusiastic about that and Liverpool have a programme for development of academies and we're very pleased with that. And perhaps with a club at this level - this is an extraordinary club - it may not apply to Hilal but it certainly appllies to and has application in the outlying regions. Your other question I don't think I heard, and I don't think I'm going to hear it." NEWS CONFERENCE8. GILLETT IS PRESENTED WITH AN AL HILAL CLUB SHIRT WITH HIS NAME ON THE BACK GILLETT WITH AL HILAL CLUB OFFICIALS AND PLAYERS POSE FOR PICTURES
  • Embargoed: 31st October 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVACMS8CDVTLDHT7OP5RYXDM96RL
  • Story Text: Liverpool co-owner George Gillett was in Saudi Arabia on Thursday (October 15), visiting the owners of an investment company which is linked with a possible investment in the Premier league club.
    Gillett was visiting the kingdom to discuss setting up joint academies and spent time meeting players and officials with the Saudi Al Hilal club.
    Recently the Liverpool Echo reported that Gillett and co-owner Tom Hicks distanced themselves from claims that a Ssudi prince was about to buy into the Anfield Club.
    Gillet gave a news conference at which he spoke enthusiastically about setting up academies in conjunction with the Saudi rulers, sports administrators and soccer clubs.
    But he laughed off questions about his stake in the club although he and Hicks have made it known they would welcome new investors.
    Last month the private Saudi sports investment company F6 was in direct talks with Gillett, to buy all or part of his 50 percent stake in the club, a company official said.
    F6 has signed a memorandum of understanding with the George Gillett Group for an exclusive cooperation that would lead to opening Liverpool academies in the Middle East and North Africa and develop race tracks to introduce NASCAR to the Middle East.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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