Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / COVENTRY CITY
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

Monday, 10 December 2007, 16:46 GMT

Billionaire enters Coventry talks

General view of the Ricoh Arena Greek billionaire businessman Alki David has entered talks to buy cash-strapped Coventry City.

He told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire: "I'm told it's a sleeping giant and a good opportunity so we are talking.

"We need to look at the books to see what the debt is, but it's a club that has had entry to the Premiership so on that level it would be a good deal".

Coventry have until Thursday when they must either prove their solvency or enter administration.

"We will move very quickly but no commitments are being made until we have looked at the books," David said.

"I'm a film maker and football is not my first love but apparently it's a fine club"
Alki David

Last week the club announced they were looking to go into administration in order to bring to a head the takeover talks with rival Ray Ranson.

But if the club were to do so they would incur a 10-point deduction and drop into the bottom three of the Championship.

David will have to take on £38m of debt if he is to buy the club but he denies that the figure is a problem for a man with a reputed £4bn fortune.

" You go into these things for the long haul, we have investments in other clubs and own a couple outright.

"I'm a film maker and football is not my first love but apparently it's a fine club."

MESSAGEBOARD
"I'm 50/50 that it could be a publicity stunt"
lewysCOV
Message board: Have your say

Former Crystal Palace boss Dowie has claimed that he would review his position at the club if they were to go into administration but David insists he's not interested in becoming a hero for the club's supporters.

"It would be wonderful to do a good turn but godliness is not the business I'm in. I'm in the filmmaking business."

The Sky Blues have issued a statement saying they remain fully committed to a bid from Ray Ranson's Sisu Capital group and have confirmed they have not received any further offers.



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Coventry plan for administration (03 Dec 07 |  Coventry City )
Manager Dowie may quit Coventry (29 Nov 07 |  Coventry City )
Dowie pained by transfer embargo (21 Nov 07 |  Coventry City )
Coventry takeover names revealed (01 Nov 07 |  Coventry City )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Coventry fans' views on 606
BBC Cov & Warks audio
Coventry weather
BBC Sport Championship
Coventry City
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©