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Di Stefano still interested in clubs after Shelbourne rules out investment
R. of Ireland - 25 April, 2006
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Giovanni di Stefano, a lawyer who has represented Saddam Hussein and Slobodan Milosevic, has been denied a chance to acquire part of Irish Shelbourne.
Di Stefano, a former director of Scottish Dundee, was reportedly set to invest GBP 750,000 in Shelbourne on the way to a possible takeover. Talks had been scheduled this week, but after media scrutiny, club chiefs called them off. Shelbourne chief executive Ollie Byrne said on the club website in open letter to di Stefano, “To be truthful I was astonished that you chose to release details of your interest to the media in advance of any meeting taking place with Shelbourne FC.”
Di Stefano mentioned eircom interest despite being rebuked by Byrne for drawing attention to his attempt to invest in a club.
“As you are no doubt aware, considerable publicity has been generated by you releasing details of your interest to a journalist from the Irish Mirror,” Byrne wrote. “Regrettably, I do not believe that it is now possible for me to take your expression of interest any further. … Many suggestions of involvement in the club from local interests have flowed through in the past few days and Shelbourne FC is deeply grateful for that interest. All these approaches will be pursued.”
In response to Byrne’s statement, di Stefano said in the Tuesday, 25 April Irish Times, “I note that (the letter) said there have been a number of other expressions of interest in investing in the club since my involvement became public. Well, if I’ve done good for Irish football, then I’m delighted and very proud.”
Di Stefano claimed the owners of Waterford had attempted to sell to him “lock, stock and barrel” as recently as a couple of months ago but insisted that he is not interested in full control of a club. Another unnamed club, rumoured to be Drogheda United, had been in contact with him, and he plans to follow up on the matter.
Di Stefano, a former director of Scottish Dundee, was reportedly set to invest GBP 750,000 in Shelbourne on the way to a possible takeover. Talks had been scheduled this week, but after media scrutiny, club chiefs called them off. Shelbourne chief executive Ollie Byrne said on the club website in open letter to di Stefano, “To be truthful I was astonished that you chose to release details of your interest to the media in advance of any meeting taking place with Shelbourne FC.”
Di Stefano mentioned eircom interest despite being rebuked by Byrne for drawing attention to his attempt to invest in a club.
“As you are no doubt aware, considerable publicity has been generated by you releasing details of your interest to a journalist from the Irish Mirror,” Byrne wrote. “Regrettably, I do not believe that it is now possible for me to take your expression of interest any further. … Many suggestions of involvement in the club from local interests have flowed through in the past few days and Shelbourne FC is deeply grateful for that interest. All these approaches will be pursued.”
In response to Byrne’s statement, di Stefano said in the Tuesday, 25 April Irish Times, “I note that (the letter) said there have been a number of other expressions of interest in investing in the club since my involvement became public. Well, if I’ve done good for Irish football, then I’m delighted and very proud.”
Di Stefano claimed the owners of Waterford had attempted to sell to him “lock, stock and barrel” as recently as a couple of months ago but insisted that he is not interested in full control of a club. Another unnamed club, rumoured to be Drogheda United, had been in contact with him, and he plans to follow up on the matter.
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