Gillett admits to Hicks problems

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Canadian Gillett and American business partner Tom Hicks are unpopular with some Reds fans after their disagreements with manager Rafael Benitez and Gillett at one point tried to sell his stake in the club to both Hicks and Dubai International Capital (DIC).

Gillett told a sports radio programme in Toronto, Canada: "This partnership has been unworkable for some time. But not because of us - we have tried to be co-operative, we have tried to be supportive but when your public persona is more important than the facts, that makes it difficult to have a rational relationship."

He added: "We were very fair. We gave our partner (Hicks) a long period of time to try to make arrangements to buy us out. We didn't put pressure on him but he ultimately did not get to the finish line.

"In the meantime, because of the things he said, the fans' reaction has been so negative towards him - and towards us if we sold to him - that has now made that an untenable alternative for us.

"He threatened to block me selling to Dubai - that was certainly one of the things that made the fans upset.

"Lord knows DIC have the money; with oil prices going up every day, that's not an issue. They certainly have the history and they are fans.

"I think they would have been very responsible owners. But making that not possible or difficult didn't endear people to the fans."

Gillett revealed he has received abuse, and even death threats, which he believes has been brought about by Hicks' comments in the media.

He continued: "It's been very difficult for my wife with the amount that I travel - we receive many phone calls in the middle of the night threatening our lives, death threats."