United's owners pass 'fit and proper persons' test (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

United's owners pass 'fit and proper persons' test

6:30am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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Leeds chairman Ken Bates is standing by his decision not to reveal the identity of the club’s owners.

Calls are growing for greater transparency over the matter, especially as football club owners are expected to pass the Football League’s ‘fit and proper persons’ test.

The Football League issued a statement which read: “The Football League has concluded its enquiries regarding Leeds United’s fit and proper persons test documentation and has addressed the issues raised with the club.

"Following further information from Leeds, the League is now satisfied that the club is compliant with Football League regulations.”

The club’s holding company, Forward Sports Fund, has 10,000 anonymous shareholders and is registered in the Cayman Islands, administered in Switzerland and owned by a Guernsey-based company with an address in the British Virgin Islands.

Bates said: “When these people were invited to finance the saving of Leeds United in 2007, one of the conditions was that they wanted no publicity. They weren’t in it for the headlines.

“They were just investors who saw the saving of Leeds United as worthwhile. We recognised that condition, accepted it and continue to accept it.

"They are fit and proper people as established by the Football League, and that is the end of the matter.”

Meanwhile, Leeds are considering a summer move for Sheffield United midfielder Nick Montgomery. The 28-year-old is a life-long Leeds fan.

His contract expires at the end of the season and he has rejected a new deal.