The real-life soap opera that is Liverpool Football Club swings back to Sue-Ellen and JR Ewing country today.
After another day of great drama at London's high court, Justice Floyd ordered the club's owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to withdraw their Texas state court petition to facilitate the orderly sale of Liverpool FC to New England Sports Ventures (NESV).
He gave the duo until 4pm BST today to comply with the order or risk being charged with contempt of court -- a serious offence that can carry a prison sentence.
Meanwhile, lawyers representing the pair stateside filed a motion in Dallas accusing the "independent" Liverpool directors of contempt for holding a board meeting late on Wednesday night to continue discussions over the sale of the club to NESV.
Hicks and Gillett claim the meeting was held in contravention of the temporary restraining order granted by Judge Jim Jordan of the 160th District Court in Dallas on Wednesday.
Judge Jordan refused to rule on the motion, instead preferring to adjourn proceedings until 1pm BST today.
Back in London, Justice Floyd accused Hicks and Gillett of actions that were ""on the face of it, unconscionable".
"This case has no real connection with Texas," he said.
So back over to you, Judge Jordan...
Links:
- Battle for Liverpool goes into extra-time after day in court (Guardian)
- Anfield soap switches to Dallas courtroom for next cliffhanger (Independent)
- Liverpool Football Club owners win Texas court injunction to stop sale to Boston Red Sox (The Solicitor)
- Details of the high court verdict against the owners of Liverpool Football Club (The Solicitor)
- Tom Hicks and George Gillett statement about Texas court injunction (The Solicitor)
- Overview of corporate insolvency (Findlaw.co.uk)
- Bankruptcy and debt Q&A (Community)
- Insolvency law news (The Solicitor)
- Find a solicitor (Contact Law)
