Recently relegated EPL side Cardiff City Owner Vincent Tan "has promised to reconsider his decision to change the club's colours" but "only after" the club regains "Premier League status," according to Amlan Chakraborty of REUTERS. Tan ruled out "leaving the club but was ready to review last year's rebranding that irked many fans as Cardiff changed from its traditional blue to a new red strip and replaced the bluebird on its club crest with a red dragon." Tan: "I would like to focus on getting back to the Premier League and after we are there I will definitely agree to sit down and find a solution -- maybe we can have a compromise" (REUTERS, 5/11). The BBC's Ornstein & Phillips reported Tan's decision in '12 to rebrand "sparked opposition from sections of the fan base" -- with protests and demonstrations. On his "own future," Tan was "emphatic." Tan: "No one should question my commitment. I will not quit while we are in this situation. I am not a quitter, nor a loser. A quitter never wins; a winner never quits. I will convert some of my debt to equity but not all because the amount is very big. The club owes me maybe £120 million ($202.1M) and I put in £140 million ($235.8M) or £150 million ($252.6M). Maybe I will convert £50 million ($84.2M) and leave £100 million ($168.4M) debt" (BBC, 5/11).
ANTI-TAN GRAFFITI: The BBC reported "graffiti has been daubed at the entrance to the Cardiff City football stadium in opposition" to Tan. The graffiti on the Ninian Park gates in Sloper Road said "Tan out" and "We will always be blue," which refers to the club's "controversial rebrand." The Cardiff City Supporters' Trust said that the graffiti was "totally unacceptable" (BBC, 5/9).
MACKAY DROPS CLAIM: The PA reported former Cardiff City Manager Malky Mackay has "dropped his legal claim against the club after reaching a settlement on his sacking." The terms of the agreement are being "kept closely guarded but it is understood Mackay was seeking substantial compensation for his dismissal, which came in December after a difference of opinion with City's owner, Vincent Tan, about the direction of the club" (PA, 5/9).
