LIVERPOOL, England — Liverpool’s American owners are facing a new takeover bid — from frustrated fans.
The longshot member-share scheme launched Thursday aims to raise about $995 million to oust Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. and fund a new stadium.
UAE-based group Dubai International Capital recently failed in a renewed bid to purchase the Premier League club after losing out to Hicks and Gillett last March.
Rival Manchester United fans still opposed to the Glazer family’s 2005 takeover of the Red Devils unveiled a similar scheme Thursday.
Drawing inspiration from FC Barcelona’s model, Share Liverpool FC appealed for 100,000 fans to contribute up to $9,950 apiece.
“Liverpool fans all over the world have a way of raising money to do what they want to do,” said Rogan Taylor, who is spearheading the initiative. “They’ve been to Istanbul and Athens in the last three years for Champions League finals and if you add the cost of those two trips together you’re not far from the entry fee — the price of owning this club forever.”
Stakeholders will be limited to a single share, with each member having one vote. Key decisions, such as managerial changes, will be made by an executive board elected for a three-year term.
“The Chinese word for crisis is translated as opportunity, and there’s a very good reason why that’s the case,” Taylor said. “It’s very difficult to change things when everything is fine. Things are certainly not fine both on and off the pitch.”
Rafa Benitez’s side slumped to seventh in the Premier League standings on Wednesday — 17 points behind leader Manchester United — with a 1-0 defeat at West Ham.
To help fund Anfield stadium’s replacement in nearby Stanley Park and refinance the loan used to purchase the Reds, Hicks and Gillett last week completed a $682 million refinancing package.
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