By Jaroslaw Adamowski
February 18 – Petr Safarcik has become the majority shareholder of FC Banik Ostrava, the Czech football club said in a statement. With the acquisition of shares from local businessman Libor Adamek, Safarcik controls a combined 95% of the shares in Banik through his company PAM Market and as a private investor. The amount of the deal was not disclosed by the two businessmen.
“The priority in the next phase of restructuring of the club is the entry of new strategic partners, and currently we have information that three entities are interested in this,” Safarcik was quoted in the statement.
After two years of balancing on the verge of bankruptcy, the club is now improving its performance, he said, referring to Banik’s debts.
Safarcik also spoke favourably on Adamek and his prior financial involvement in the club.
“He was there when Banik was in clinical death. And together we overcame this difficult period,” Safarcik said.
In early 2012, the two investors purchased the shares in Banik from Tomas Petera who had been the club’s owner for nine years.
Based in Ostrava, in the Czech Republic’s Moravian-Silesian region, Banik was set up in 1922. The club currently plays in the Gambrinus Liga, the top tier of the Czech professional football league. Banik’s Bazaly stadium has a capacity of 17,372. Banik’s latest achievements include winning the Czech championship in 2004 and the Czech Cup in 2005.
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