Leeds United Ownership Denies Report It Plans To Sell Club

The Dubai-based owner of League Championship club Leeds United said that it is "seeking new investors," but denied that it "plans to sell up completely three months after buying the team," according to de Sa'Pinto & Weir of REUTERS. A statement from owner GFH Capital issued by Leeds on Wednesday "tried to reassure fans that the owners remained committed" to Leeds after buying out majority shareholder Ken Bates only in December. However, the statement "will not quell uncertainty about the future of the former English champions as it conflicts with comments made by its Bahrain-based parent Gulf Finance House." Two sources close to the matter said that GFH "had all but completed a sale of the club, with just one or two legal issues left to resolve." The new consortium seeking to buy Leeds is led by U.K.-based businessman Steve Parkin, who "made his money in road haulage." Parkin attempted to buy the club in '04, prior to it being snapped up by former Chelsea owner Bates (REUTERS, 3/20).