Hicks denies DIC fan talk

Reds co-owner hits back at claim over supporter on board

Last updated: 11th March 2008

Tom Hicks

Hicks: DIC claims denied

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Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has hit back at claims that he blocked attempts to have a fan installed on the Anfield board.

Talks between Hicks and Dubai International Capital (DIC) over their proposed investment in the Premier League club collapsed on Monday evening.

A DIC source suggested that their proposal of having a Liverpool fan on the board was one stumbling block in the negotiations.

But Hicks has denied that report and issued a statement through his London-based advisors.

Proposal

It said: "With regard to a report today claiming that 'talks between [Tom Hicks] and Dubai International Capital collapsed after the Dubains proposed putting a fans' representative on the Anfield board', I can confirm after consultation with Mr Hicks and his representatives at the meetings with DIC that at no time during any such meetings did DIC propose, nor did Mr Hicks or his representatives reject, any such proposal."

This latest difference only serves to underline the problems there are between Hicks and DIC, who are still believed to be interested in buying into the club.

The American has also vetoed any move by his partner George Gillett to sell a 49 per cent stake in the club to the group.

The suggestion that a fan with full voting rights would be installed on the board followed meetings with supporters' groups on the Kop on Saturday, when a DIC representative watched the 3-0 win over Newcastle from the famous stand.

Hicks' reason for terminating talks was that he did not want to be run by committee.