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16:45 GMT, Friday, 28 March 2008

Liverpool co-owner reveals split

Liverpool owners George Gillett (left) and Tom Hicks

Fresh doubts have been raised over the future of Liverpool after co-owner George Gillett revealed relations with partner Tom Hicks are now "unworkable".

BBC Sport understands Hicks is aiming to take sole control of the club, while investment group Dubai International Capital also wants to invest.

But Gillett said: "This partnership has been unworkable for some time."

He also said his family has received "phone calls in the middle of the night threatening our lives - death threats."

However, despite the threats, Gillett revealed he and his son Foster - a club director - intend to travel to England to attend one of the upcoming games against Arsenal next week.

Ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby with Everton, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said of the latest development: "There is nothing I can do but concentrate on the game and prepare properly."

Speaking to radio station Fan590 in Canada, Gillett said that selling his share of the club to Hicks is now "an untenable alternative".

606: DEBATE
"Tough times ahead if Hicks and DIC work together I don't think the relationship between the two will be strong"
LfcOzzi

He added: "We were very fair. We gave our partner a long period of time to try to make arrangements to buy us out.

"We didn't put pressure on him but he ultimately did not get to the finish line.

"In the meantime, because of the things he said, the fans' reaction has been so negative towards him - and towards us if we sold to him - that has now made that an untenable alternative for us.

"When your public persona is more important than the facts, it's tough to have a rational relationship."

In a lengthy interview, Gillett went on to say:

• "(The fans) do not want him (Hicks) to have any controlling interest in this club - they do not even want him to have any ownership in the club."

"We (Gillett and his family) receive many phone calls in the middle of the night threatening our lives"
George Gillett

• "He (Hicks) threatened to block me selling to Dubai - that was certainly one of the things that made the fans upset."

• "Lord knows DIC have the money; with oil prices going up every day, that's not an issue. They certainly have the history and they are fans. I think they would have been very responsible owners."

• "It's been very difficult for my wife - we receive many phone calls in the middle of the night threatening our lives - death threats."

• "Instead of thinking about selling I might think about buying."

• "The pieces on the chess board are moving", regarding his plans for his stake in the club.




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Related to this story:

Mascherano owns up to FA charge (28 Mar 08 |  Liverpool )
DIC to offer Hicks share of power (08 Mar 08 |  Liverpool )
Hicks plots total control of Reds (04 Mar 08 |  Liverpool )
Hicks ready to block Gillett sale (28 Feb 08 |  Liverpool )
Hicks holds talks over Liverpool (27 Feb 08 |  Liverpool )
Hicks plans long stay at Anfield (27 Jan 08 |  Liverpool )
Liverpool complete £350m package (25 Jan 08 |  Liverpool )
Liverpool owners deny sale claims (17 Jan 08 |  Liverpool )
Liverpool braced for takeover bid (20 Jan 08 |  Liverpool )
Consortium pulls out of Reds bid (31 Jan 07 |  Liverpool )

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