ian1964 10,409 Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 The Scottish FA's deal to buy Hampden Park could be in danger of collapsing. The governing body agreed a £5m deal with owners Queen's Park in September, after discussing moving to Murrayfield. The agreement was due to be signed off last month but negotiations have stalled, with one source describing talks as being "completely deadlocked". One of the key stumbling blocks is a refusal by Glasgow City Council to waive a floating charge unless they have a say on how the stadium is run. They invested around £2.6m into the redevelopment of Hampden in the 1990s on the proviso they would have representation on the board of Hampden Park Ltd (HPL), the body set up to run the stadium. Scottish FA agrees to buy Hampden Purchase is start of Hampden 'journey' 'Scotland should move around grounds' The Scottish FA has yet to form a new company or entity to replace HPL but have told the council - which has the power to block any deal - they will not be allowed a seat at the table. Council bosses also want assurances on the future of the National Football Museum, which is housed at Hampden, but so far the Scottish FA have yet to offer any. BBC Scotland sent a list of detailed questions to both the Scottish FA and Glasgow City Council and both parties provided short statements in response. The Scottish FA said: "Discussions between the Scottish FA and Queens Park FC regarding the final terms of the deal for the sale of Hampden Park are ongoing. Deals of this complexity require time and effort and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to conclude the transfer of ownership of the stadium to the Scottish FA following the expiration of the lease in June 2020." Glasgow City Council said: "We have been in discussions with all the partners involved. However the deal is between Queen's Park and the SFA and it is not appropriate for us to comment on that. It's not clear at this stage what the management arrangements will be, however we are ready to partner with the SFA in the management of the stadium and the wider development of the area." That dispute is not the only issue. Queens Park want to continue playing their home matches at the National Stadium beyond season 2019-2020, but the Scottish FA wants them out by the end of next season. The Scottish League Two club fear the delay in getting a deal done will impact on their ability to redevelop Lesser Hampden. It is understood around £3m of the money received from the sale of the stadium will be used to develop the area close to the National Stadium. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47094061 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 13,717 Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Wouldn't the council just love to move everything to Parkhead and pocket the money for the entire Hampden site. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,409 Posted February 1, 2019 Author Share Posted February 1, 2019 Just now, Bill said: Wouldn't the council just love to move everything to Parkhead and pocket the money for the entire Hampden site. Is that beyond the realms of possibility? wouldn't be surprised tbh. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEARGER 1,829 Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Wonder why the SFA can not give assurances about the museum? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 13,717 Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 4 minutes ago, ian1964 said: Is that beyond the realms of possibility? wouldn't be surprised tbh. I'd say there is at least an even chance that Celtic Park will become the de facto home of Scottish football, with Glasgow council and Holyrood co-funding stadium redevelopment and binding themselves to Celtic FC in perpetuity. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,409 Posted February 1, 2019 Author Share Posted February 1, 2019 The SFA have dismissed fears their deal to buy Hampden Park is in danger of collapse. Glasgow City Council have also denied claims they are putting a spanner in the works by demanding a significant say in how the stadium is run. The SFA rejected a move to Murrayfield in September in favour of a £5 million buyout of Queen’s Park, funded by philanthropists Lord Wille Haughey and Sir Tom Hunter. The Spiders are currently in negotiations with the SFA, who are reluctant to allow them to continue playing games at the national stadium beyond the end of season 2019-20. Hampden sources denied Queen’s Park are being unreasonable in their bargaining and also insist it’s an overstatement to say talks have stalled. One said: “No-one’s putting the SRU on speed dial. Negotiations are complex and ongoing, but there’s a willingness to deal and time in on our side.” A council source added: “We fought hard enough to keep the home of Scottish football in Glasgow and will not jeopardise that. “We have a duty of care to the people and business around the stadium, but no-one is rocking the boat. There is a desire on all sides to finalise the deal.” The Scottish FA said: “Deals of this complexity require time and effort and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to conclude the transfer of ownership of the stadium to the Scottish FA following the expiration of the lease in June 2020.” Glasgow City Council said: “We have been in discussions with all the partners involved. However the deal is between Queen’s Park and the SFA and it is not appropriate for us to comment on that. “It’s not clear at this stage what the management arrangements will be, however we are ready to partner with the SFA in the management of the stadium and the wider development of the area.” https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sfa-dismiss-fears-deal-buy-13939983 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooponthewing 1,139 Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 On 01/02/2019 at 16:29, Bill said: I'd say there is at least an even chance that Celtic Park will become the de facto home of Scottish football, with Glasgow council and Holyrood co-funding stadium redevelopment and binding themselves to Celtic FC in perpetuity. Mmmm know I digress slightly but I fancy the torries to be the largest party at holyrood after the next election. I wonder how that political shift will affect all landscapes? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott7 5,138 Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 Not going to happen, coop. Even if they were the largest party it’s unlikely thei seats woul be enough to form the goverment. Lab/Lib/Green coalition likely. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo 6,111 Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 Buy the site for 5 million sell it at huge profit then move all major games to Parkhead and with Celtic money also acquire the Emirates stadium as well when the council sell it off to pay their own debts Desmond's a clever man . 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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