British High Court clears way for Liverpool sale to NESV

Liverpool FC’s American owners were strongly condemned in the High Court in London today for taking action in the US courts to try to block the sale of the club.

Mr Justice Floyd criticised Tom Hicks and George Gillett as he granted anti-suit injunctions in a bid to nullify decisions taken in the court in Dallas.

The judge said he had given a ruling in London yesterday that meant the English directors of Liverpool could agree a £300m (€341m) takeover by John W Henry’s New England Sport Ventures (NESV).

But before the board could make any decision last night, Tom Hicks, one of the American owners, secured a temporary restraining order from the Texas court.

Mr Justice Floyd said that, on the face of it, that amounted to “unconscionable conduct on the part of Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett”.

Full report ot follow.