Don't blame me over lengthy takeover - Leeds United chairman Bates (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Don't blame me over lengthy takeover - Leeds United chairman Ken Bates

11:08pm Sunday 7th October 2012 in Sport By Sports Desk

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates has told fans not to place the blame for the drawn-out takeover of the npower Championship club at his door.

Bates opened negotiations with Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House (GFH) in June but, despite a series of statements and counter-statements from both parties, a deal remains unsigned.

According to Bates, the delay is nothing to do with him, with the former Chelsea owner claiming he is ready to sign over a club he took control of seven years ago.

"I'd like to be able to say something but there is a confidentiality agreement which seems to be a bit one sided," he said this weekend.

"It makes it difficult to say anything. The real problem is their lawyers because this is a straightforward deal, by anyone's standards.

"I don't know what the delay is, they appear to try and make complications when there is no need to do so.

"I understand the share purchase is 171 pages long and I question if they are acting in their client's best interests.

"GFH want to complete a deal and we are happy to do a deal with them, but when last-minute things are slipped in, it makes things very difficult.

"By GFH's standards this is not a big deal, so I say to Leeds fans, don't blame me."