The current leaders of the ASBH published this Monday evening on the official website of the Biterrois club a press release which was unsuccessful towards the Emirati buyers, following the refusal of the DNACG to validate the takeover project represented by Christophe Dominici and the decision of Samir Ben Romdhane throwing in the towel. They claim there that the documents proving the solvency of the project of recovery were very vague. “The company Passion d'Ovalie, majority shareholder of the Club Béziers Rugby ASBH, is surprised that Mr. Philippe Baillard, representative of Sotaco Managment, talks about an arrow received, whereas on the contrary what has been reported in the press, the parties worked hard, in perfect and totally transparent cooperation. This cooperation made it possible on July 6, to sign an agreement to sell the club, with financing of the latter by seller credit avoiding any problem of funding for buyers. And, contrary to what is implied, no conditions, guarantees or other requests have been made since. The only decision maker then remaining the DNACG. However, the sports project of the company Sotaco Management, which provided for a payroll of several million euros, has not been validated by the DNACG. Indeed, the only two project solvency documents sent directly by Sotaco Management on July 9, 2020 to the DNACG, the same day of the hearing were:
- a certificate from CHINA BANK in Beijing stating that the shareholder of Sotaco Managment benefited on his account held in Beijing of 20 million dollars, document awaiting authentication;
- the photo of a bank check from a German establishment, drawn on the personal account of Mr Samir BEN ROMDHANE, without proof of the provision on the account.
The DNACG deemed the elements provided by Sotaco Management to be insufficient and rejected the club's takeover file. The divestment of the club therefore did not fail by a refusal by the current shareholders or, as mentioned, by a last minute requirement, but only because of the prudential rules of the DNACG. The company Passion d'Ovalie deeply regrets that the promises made by Sotaco Managment were not accompanied by concrete elements likely to convince the members of the DNACG whose role is to check the solvency of the ambitions of the clubs. ”
Read also
- Acquisition of Béziers: the Emirati buyer renounces