An Australian consortium is "waiting in the wings to rescue crisis-torn A-League club Brisbane Roar," according to the AAP. A group of Brisbane business identities is "prepared to buy the club and pick up the pieces" following the reign of Daniel Cobb, sacked as Roar managing director on Wednesday by owners the Bakrie Group. The new consortium has been "active for several weeks and is organised by former state politician Robert Cavallucci, who had been part of an advisory board set up by former Roar CEO David Pourre to ensure stability in governance beyond his departure in May." Cobb denied he was fired on Wednesday, "insisting he quit in protest" against the Bakrie Group's failure to inject A$1.1M ($850,000) into the club as he alleged it had promised. Cobb also said that he would make a final "take it or leave it" bid to buy the club, but "there was no chance the Bakries would consider it." East Coast Car Rentals CEO Mark Kingsman, meanwhile, has been installed as a director of the club to ensure the Roar complies "with ASIC's requirement for companies to have at least one Australian-based director" (AAP, 8/18).
