Saints enter partnership with GAO family

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Well the last one of those we had was an Italian chap who did a good job for us for a while.

While true, I'd imagine we'd have been less enthused if the Italian chap had to admit multiple instances of public corruption, and the PL launched a failed effort to prevent him from holding a director's role (before then changing the rules so that it could never happen again).

We have our new owner based on a technicality: the PL's rules banned ownership by individuals who have been convicted of a crime, rather than individuals known to have committed a crime. Gao admittedly committed a crime -- in at least two separate cases -- but avoided a conviction because he turned state's evidence.

Though in China, it'd probably be somewhat immaterial; had he been convicted, his likelihood of buying a football club would have been reduced somewhat.
 
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We run a cattery; show and breed Persians, Ragdolls and Siberians...

I take it you have cats?


Yes 3 .

Purdey an 18 year old Tabby .

Jasper ( my avatar ) a 15 year old cross between British short hair silver tabby and a black Persian .

Toby a 10 year old cream British short hair .

All lovely in their own way :)
 
Living where i do i haven't heard all the ins outs of the deal but why was it so protracted?
Lots of due diligence, getting it passed the FA (though that was a while ago), and problems with the Chinese government who have got tough on investments in risky businesses, hence the change from Landers Sports (on Chinese stock market) to an individual. Of course all that could be wrong and they just couldn't pry us away from a weeping Katharina (that's the one I'm going for :)).
 
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Gao financing the deal himself is certainly a twist in this tale.
The biggest question for me is if his company couldn't gain funding from China, how could he?

http://m.scmp.com/business/companie...ove-hundreds-billions-abroad-buy-assets?amp=1

This article from a year ago states that legally an individual can only invest $50k abroad per year.
The article also goes on to list ways the Chinese have been able to get around those rules.

But this is not like he is purchasing a semi in Basingstoke.
Surely he can't make this level of personal investment without the knowledge and permission from the Chinese authorities
 
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Well from what I have read in the media the head of the Gao family was involved in some scandal with corruption charges back in China. The Premier league were interested in him with regard the fit and proper test and I believe tried to block his buy out attempt. I'm sure a bit of quick research you would find him to be a person that divides opinion over his business practices. :emoticon-0102-bigsm

Similar situation to the bindippers, admitted they done wrong, weren't charged, can't be convicted, can't be punished!