Gold hits back in takeover row - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Gold hits back in takeover row

Birmingham chairman David Gold has hit out at comments from prospective new owner Carson Yeung's representative suggesting the current board are jeopardising the £50million takeover of the club.

Gold and co-owner David Sullivan have given Yeung until December 20 to complete the deal otherwise they will pull out - even though the Hong Kong businessman already has a 29.9% stake in Blues.

"People say we are in crisis," said Gold. "We are not in crisis. We are in change."

The City duo are running out of patience only for Yeung's aide Sammy Yu to insist Sullivan and Gold were the problem and that the takeover could go ahead by the specified deadline.

But Gold believes the chances of Yeung completing his buy-out of Birmingham are "diminishing".

"Although we have to be careful, because it was one of Mr Yeung's aides speaking, I am saying that Sammy Yu's comments were inappropriate and very upsetting," he said.

"Myself, David Sullivan and Karren Brady (managing director) have worked very hard under extreme difficulties to deal with the problems that are coming up.

"You've got to remember we are putting Birmingham City before everything else and working on the basis that we are here for the foreseeable future.

"We will have to wait and see emerges over the next few weeks. We have given our word. There will be no extension to that deadline to Mr Yeung," he said.

"I believe the chances (of the takeover) are diminishing. If they can't fulfil their promises, we will go back to the way it was before."

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Gala night for the Queen of arts - stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute

Happy & glorious

Stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute to Queen
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Thais go Gaga: singer’s ‘fake rolex’ tweet sparks new tour row... but fans still mob her at airport

Thais go Gaga

Singer mobbed at airport
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon
Chelsea Champions League celebrations - in pictures

Victory parade

Chelsea Champions League celebrations
High-flying heroes

High flying heroes

David Oyelowo reveals all about new film Red Tails
The Twitter Diaries: Think Bridget Jones tries social networking

The Twitter Diaries

Think Bridget Jones tries social networking