Franchise Notes: La Liga Valencia Lender Bankia Could Complicate Peter Lim's Takeover

New La Liga side Valencia Owner Peter Lim's arrival has been "widely welcomed at the heavily indebted" club despite the deal still being "contingent on reaching an agreement" with its lender, Spanish bank Bankia. Bankia could "still opt for a rival bid" as Lim is "said to be hoping the nationalised bank" will accept a €100M ($137M) reduction on the €220M ($300M) currently owed by the club. Should Lim and Bankia "fail to reach an agreement over this debt, then the process -- which has already dragged on for months -- could be further protracted" (ESPN, 5/19). ... A ticket-office employee at Barcelona's "official museum" has been "sacked after she was caught making a racist gesture to Racing de Santander's Mamadou Kone" during a game between Racing and third division rival Llagostera on Sunday. The individual in question has been "sacked from her position at Barcelona and been handed a lifetime ban from Llagostera's home matches" (SPORTS MOLE, 5/19).