Source: Daily_Mail
High Court judge crushes Tom Hicks and George Gillett to clear way for Red Sox takeover
High Court give Hicks and Gillett till 4pm to drop legal challengeTexas judge sits at 1pm as battle nears end game Would-be owner Henry considers Merseyside derby appearanceLiverpool's discredited owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett were on the receiving end of a crushing and humiliating condemnation in the High Court on Thursday as a buy-out by John W Henry edged closer.[LNB]Attempts by Hicks and Gillett to use a Texas court to block the sale of Liverpool to the Boston Red Sox owner were witheringly dismissed by Mr Justice Floyd. [LNB]The club should now be sold to Henry's New England Sports Ventures for £300million either on Friday or after the weekend, depending on when Hicks and Gillett respond to Thursday's judgement. On Thursday night they were accused of clinging to power on Merseyside by any means possible.[LNB] Second date: Liverpool returned to the High Court on Thursday as the takeover rumbles on[LNB]David Chivers QC, acting for NESV ,said: 'We are the owners now. The (old) owners are, from beyond thegrave, seeking to exercise with their dead hand a continuing grip onthis company. That is simply not acceptable.'[LNB]Victory for now: Lord Grabiner QC (left) won an injunction for RBS[LNB]Details of Judge Floyd's decisioneffectively to dismiss a restraining order imposed on the takeover by aDallas court on Wednesday were emailed to Hicks and Gillett's lawyerson Thursday night. [LNB]They have until 4pm Friday to agreeand back down. If they do not, they will be held in contempt of courtand arrested if they enter the country. If the duo leave it until closeto the deadline, however, the takeover will not go through until afterthe weekend. [LNB]The latest NESV feel they couldtransfer the money pledged to secure the deal is 3pm. That would need a quick resolution in Dallas, which reconvenes at 1pm (7am local time) after Judge Jim Jordan adjourned proceedings yesterday.[LNB]The legal argument across the pond is essentially over the sale price. Hicks and Gillett believe £300m drastically undervalues the club.[LNB]Judge Jordan will hear a motion from NESV aimed at lifting the temporary restraining order, the validity of which has been questioned.[LNB]Asked if the takeover could yet take place on Friday, Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton said: 'I hope so.' [LNB][LNB]Hicks and Gillett were not represented during a four-hour hearing that saw them vilified from all sides. [LNB]Central to the case was a suggestionthat, in applying to the court in Texas, the Americans failed properlyto disclose that they had already had a similar case thrown out inLondon the day before. [LNB] Who's laughing now? George Gillett and Tom Hicks finally appear to be losing their grip on Liverpool[LNB]High hopes: John Henry left his lawyer's office late on Thursday[LNB]Counsel for Liverpool, NESV andcreditors RBS also ridiculed suggestions that members of the club'sboard had connections to the Lone Star State. [LNB]'They concealed this from the Texasjudge because they were determined to get a second bite of the cherry,'said Lord Grabiner QC, acting for Liverpool. 'It is all poppycock.'[LNB]On Thursday night, legal opinionseemed to side with Liverpool. Thomas Kruse, head of complex commerciallitigation at the Houston, Texas, offices of USA -wide law firm BakerHostetler, said: 'A ruling from the High Court is one that the judgehere would respect.'[LNB]The deadline to repay £237m owed byLiverpool to RBS passes on Friday but the bank are not expected to callthe debt in and place the club in administration. [LNB]Meanwhile, NESV chief John Henry may be at Goodison Park for Sunday's derby against Everton. [LNB]Fernando Torres will be fit afterrecovering from a groin injury. Manager Roy Hodgson said: 'Fernando hasmade a good recovery, as has Paul Konchesky.'[LNB]Hodgson was frustrated by DanielAgger's latest injury, for Denmark against Cyprus. The centre-back willmiss the derby and Hodgson said: 'Agger made a miraculous recovery toplay for Denmark, where he got injured again. I don't know what thestate of play is for him yet.' [LNB] Liverpool takeover hots up as Tom Hicks and George Gillett are slammed in the High Court'Outrageous' Hicks and Gillett slammed in High Court over Liverpool takeover struggleHenry plays waiting game as Hicks and Gillett attempt to kill off 'epic swindle' of Liverpool sale with fresh £1billion legal fightOut in the cold - Singapore businessman Peter Lim ends Liverpool interest after being shunned by boardMud, debt and fears as Liverpool fight threatens to become slanging matchLIVERPOOL FC
