April 16 – Leeds United chairman Ken Bates (pictured) has rejected suggestions of a takeover bid by Australian Frank Lowy.
Bates launched a scathing attack against Lowy, claiming he had “never heard of” the Football Federation Australia chairman until reports the retail magnate had commissioned a review into the state of the League One club’s finances.
“This Lowy, I think he runs Westfield, the property company,” Bates said.
“Aren’t they the one that has completely buggered up the town centre of Bradford?
“Hardly the best reference for someone who wants to buy a football club 12,000 miles from home… it is no secret we would welcome further investment.
“But we are quite blunt – name and money.
“The moment you say that they all disappear.”
A £320 million ($492 million) shopping development by Westfield, the company chaired and co-founded by Lowy, lies at the heart of regeneration plans for Bradford.
But after demolition work started in 2004 on the site in the Yorkshire city, the development went on hold amid the economic downturn.
Work started this week to transform part of the vast construction site into a temporary urban park.
Leeds’ chief executive Shaun Harvey, who has served under Ken Bates since 2005, insists the club have heard nothing from Lowy.
“We have not heard of any interest from Mr Lowy,” Harvey said.
Lowy has also denied that he is interested in buying Leeds.
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