Parry tells warring Liverpool FC owners that one of them must sell up

Mar 31 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

Andy Heatman

LIVERPOOL FC chief executive Rick Parry has told warring club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett that one of them needs to sell up.

His comments follow Gillett’s revelations that his partnership with fellow American Tom Hicks had become “unworkable”.

Speaking on national BBC radio, Parry said: “If they're not able to co-exist, then there needs to be a solution where one buys and one sells, or both sell.

“There aren't too many other possibilities, but it's pretty clear that to carry on with the status quo is extremely difficult.

“There is no question that to succeed you need unity at the top, unity at the club, and everyone pulling in the same direction.

“Without that, it is extremely difficult to progress and it is clear from what George has said the unity is not there.

“George has been pretty unequivocal in what he has said. You have to think he thought long and hard before coming out with the statement he made on Friday, it did not leave room for doubt.”

The chief executive is reported to be pleased the admission brings the situation to a head, but insists immediate action is needed.

He said: “I think it brings it to a head – clearly for the good of the club. It’s dragged on for long enough. The ideal would be to move to as speedy a resolution as possible.”

Texan Hicks has already criticised co-owner George Gillett because his hard-hitting inter- view came as Liverpool prepared for yesterday’s Merseyside derby and a succession of crucial ties with Arsenal. A source close to the Texan said: “It is not very helpful to talk about this situation, given the importance of the next two or three weeks coming up in the fixture list.

“These bits and pieces in the media are not beneficial to the overall performance of the club, and that’s what we want people to concentrate on at this stage.”

Gillett criticised Hicks for his public pronouncements and for trying to block the sale of his half of the club to Dubai International Capital (DIC), a deal first revealed in the Daily Post.

He said fan pressure now meant he would not sell any of his stake to Hicks, and was even considering trying to buy the Texan out himself.

After yesterday’s 1-0 win, Liverpool fans will be looking to secure automatic Champions League qualification, and Parry’s comments indicate his desire not to allow boardroom conflict to jeopardise this goal.

SPORT: P31-32 & POST MATCH

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