Good News/Bad News for Cardiff City

First the good news: Though the English FA isn’t keen to let Cardiff City represent them in the UEFA Cup, Michel Platini is not so subtly suggesting he might overrule them.

“It is a very big problem, it is not so correct,” said Platini (referring to the FA’s policy, not his grammar.) “I think if the English do not qualify the team who wins the FA Cup for the Uefa Cup, we will do something in Uefa. It’s not normal that they participate in one competition and if they win they are out. That is not good. If England don’t do something, we will do something because we must always respect the result on the field.”

So there’s hope for Cardiff, but they still need to actually qualify before we see what happens. What does all this have to do with former owner Sam Hammam (pictured) you ask? Well, that’s where the bad news comes in.

Cardiff City could be facing administration, and even though Peter “put the goldfish on the credit card” Ridsdale is chairman, it’s probably not even his fault.

The mysterious Langston company loaned Cardiff £24m in 2004, and is now asking for a summary judgement for £31m (which I suppose includes interest) to be repaid immediately. I don’t know any legal terms beyond “sir, you appear to be intoxicated, perhaps it’s time you went home” but seems summary judgement means it won’t be examined in court.

Why would Langston want that? Well, the only public info on Langston is that they’re registered in Panama, have a Swiss PO Box number and three directors who live in the British Virgin Islands. All of which screams dodgy. So Cardiff are countering by saying “let’s take it through court” so the details come out. They’re almost certain that Langston is in fact a front company for former Cardiff owner Sam Hammam, who apparently wants to screw the club over for a second time.

Category: England

Tags: administration, Cardiff City, England, FA Cup, langston, Michel Platini, peter ridsdale, sam hammam, UEFA Cup, World Football, World Soccer

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