Source: Telegraph
Ken Bates blasts reports of Australian takeover at Leeds United
Bates went on the offensive after reports in Australia claimed Lowy, the chairman of the Football Federation of Australia, had commissioned a review into the state of the Elland Road club's finances.[LNB]Leeds chief executive Shaun Harvey insisted the League One club had had no contact with the property tycoon and then Bates hit out after it was claimed in the Australian press that Lowy was plotting a buy-out.[LNB] Related ArticlesBeckford still key to Leeds' promotion pushCarlisle 1 Leeds United 3Beckford transfer saga 'unsettled Leeds'Leeds 0 Swindon 3Leeds' fall, rise and fall againSport on televisionBates also took a swipe at former Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner, who is now an insolvency specialist, as he vented his spleen over the takeover rumours as the club's race for promotion to the Championship hots up.[LNB]'I had never heard of [Lowy],' Bates said in an interview with the Yorkshire Radio station. 'I know of this story now because someone sent me a printout of an Australian newspaper the report was in but it is the usual rubbish a source said, somebody claimed, and nobody was available for comment.[LNB]'This Lowy, I think he runs Westfield, the property company. Aren't they the one that has completely buggered up the town centre of Bradford? Hardly the best reference for someone who wants to buy a football club 12,000 miles from home. Interestingly he [reportedly] has a Leeds-based agent examining Leeds United let's hope it's not Gerald Krasner.[LNB]'It is no secret we would welcome further investment. But we are quite blunt name and money. The moment you say that they all disappear.'[LNB]Leeds' promotion challenge appears to be back on track and Bates is convinced the club are heading in the right direction off the field as well following the release of the 2008-09 financial results.[LNB]He said: 'The results demonstrate ... that it is a very expensive club to run and it is significant that on £23 million turnover we made £15,000 profit.'[LNB]
