Champions League ticket snub for Liverpool's Rick Parry and David Moores

Apr 1 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

THE off-the-field turmoil at Liverpool FC hit a new low last night as Rick Parry and David Moores were snubbed in the allocation of tickets for tomorrow’s match with Arsenal.

In an extraordinary development before the first leg of the Champions League quarter final, chief executive Parry, honorary life president Moores and other senior officials were told they did not have tickets for the match.

The north London side have allocated 20 seats for Liverpool directors at The Emirates Stadium.

The Daily Post understands 16 were snapped up by American co-owner Tom Hicks and his family, while four were taken by fellow co-owner George Gillett, leaving none for Parry or Moores who, until last February, was the club’s main shareholder.

After transatlantic negotiations last night over the allocation, Hicks will now take 10 seats, Gillett four, and the remaining six will be made available for Parry, Moores and other officials.

Last night, a club source said: “David Moores was deeply irritated about this at the weekend.

“Rick Parry seems to be relaxed about it, I think he thinks a solution will be found.

“There’s a couple of days to sort it out, but if it is not, they will be very miffed.”

It is understood that a number of other senior officials were not originally allocated tickets and as a result there were some “bruised egos” at the club.

The ticket row comes after Gillett last week finally broke his silence over the ownership saga of the club and admitted his relationship with co-owner Tom Hicks is in ruins. It will be the first time Hicks and Gillett have attended the same match since their well-publicised falling out.

The last time they both went to the same game was December’s match when Manchester United beat Liverpool 1 - 0 at Anfield.

But sources in the club say both have requested not to be seated next to one another.

In the interview with a Canad- ian radio station, Gillett said: “We’re playing well in the Champ- ions League and (son) Foster and I are going to be going over to the Arsenal game next week.

“We’ve decided that this is an extraordinary time and that we’re going to be there and we’re going to enjoy it and by God we’re going to try to be a positive influence on this process.”

Since Gillett spoke out about the ownership of the club, Parry has pleaded with the pair to resolve the situation. He said: “My plea is that something happens this week.

“There is a need for a degree of urgency but it is urgent to get it right, not urgent to come up with the wrong solution.”

Dubai International Capital is reportedly keen to launch a full takeover of the Anfield club.

Hicks has so far refused to allow DIC to become involved unless he can retain a controlling share.

Gillett appears more amenable and said DIC would have been “responsible” owners.

Parry is keen to sort the issue out as soon as possible but insists the club have to take correct decisions – and not the most expedient.

SPORT: PAGES 42-44

davidbartlett