Fiszman vows not to sell shares in Arsenal
24/07/2007 |
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Arsenal's most powerful shareholder last night broke his silence on the takeover speculation engulfing the club and promised supporters that he would keep to the board's agreement not to sell his shares. On the day that Freddie Ljungberg left to join West Ham, the Arsenal shareholder Danny Fiszman said that the club's board was determined to resist any takeover attempt.
A tax exile in Geneva, Fiszman rarely makes public pronouncements but, with 24.11 per cent of the club under his control, his words carry considerable weight. With the American billionaire Stan Kroenke eager to add to his 12.19 per cent stake, Fiszman hit back at suggestions that he would break the Arsenal's board's so-called "lockdown" agreement not to sell their shares before April. The current share price is £7,150, valuing Arsenal at £444m.
"I have no intention of selling my shares for the foreseeable future," Fiszman said. "There are exciting times ahead with the team showing so much promise, we are energised by what the future holds. I hope that my position is absolutely clear.
"The board is a strong unit; we are the custodians of this club. In April we entered into an agreement not to dispose of our interests for at least one year, with the intention of retaining our interests thereafter."
Fiszman spoke after a weekend of what he described as "ill-informed speculation" suggested that the Formula One rights holder Bernie Ecclestone was interested in acquiring the club. The major threat to the Arsenal board, however, comes from Kroenke, a 59-year-old American who owns five sports franchises in Denver.
The speculation over Kroenke's next move, Thierry Henry's departure and the question of the manager Arsène Wenger's future have combined to create an atmosphere of uncertainty at the club. Fiszman's comments were designed to dispel some of the fears held by supporters.
(Source: Independent.co.uk)
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