Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 03 October 2008 )

English Premiership Football News

Businessmen deny Newcastle links
Three businessmen in South Africa related to a possible £ 300m takeover of Newcastle have denied any interest.

Billionaire Johann Rupert told BBC Radio 5 Live that he had "absolutely no interest or knowledge" of a takeover has never met any of the persons concerned.
Brian Joffe and Vivian Imerman also refused to join the consortium.

Jonathan Cleland, anonymous spokesman for the consortium, 80% said it was confident of sealing an agreement and had spoken to Kevin Keegan on the return.

Billionaire Rupert said to be the richest man in South Africa, said: "I have never met Mr. Cleland, never talked to him on the phone and my secretary does not have a record he asked.

"I have not spoken to any of the other parties either. I do not know Mr. Cleland, I have a preference for cricket and rugby. I know nothing about football and I am not a man Football. "

Imerman, a former owner of Del Monte Group canned food which has since purchased Scottish whiskey producer Whyte and Mackay issued a statement to make its position.

A spokesman said: "Vivian Imerman can re-confirm that he had no involvement whatsoever with any proposed purchase of Newcastle United, or any other football club."

Joffe, founder of the investment holding company Bidvest, joined them in rejecting the noise.

Interim boss Joe Kinnear revealed Thursday that as many eight consortia have been in talks with owner Mike Ashley on the purchase of Magpie. The South African group was considered the front runners - with their interest in the former manager Keegan making them popular with fans.

Cleland, who declined to comment on Rupert's comments, earlier confirmed he had met Keegan in Manchester on Monday but admitted there is still much negotiating to do.

"It is our preferred option, but we can not make any concrete decisions on the managerial position until the negotiations on our recovery is expected later," he said.

Cleland and his partners say they have lodged a bid for the club with Seymour Pierce Investment bankers, who were appointed by Ashley to sell it.

They and other interested parties were invited to sign a confidentiality clause.

Keegan May will be offered a 5% interest in the club in order to persuade him to return for a third spell at the helm.
by bbcnews.