Chinese government hover over Guochuan Lai amid failure to pay wages
West Brom owner Guochuan Lai is being watched by the Chinese authorities amid a series of questionable decisions relating to Shenzhen Bogang.
According to a tweet posted by Chinese news outlet Titan Sports Plus six Chinese football league clubs are set to have their licenses revoked with Shenzhen Bogang one of the teams included.
The significance of this is that their majority shareholder is Palm Sports who have strong ties to West Brom. Lai was co-founder and general manager of the company before stepping down in 2014 but he retains strong links and is involved in the financial dealings of the third division Chinese club.
Simon Chadwick, Global Professor and Director of Eurasian Sport, quoted this tweet and commented to his 17,000+ Twitter followers: “The (Chinese government’s) net appears to be tightening around West Brom’s owner Lai Guochuan….”
He also remarked in a separate tweet that “they are watching him and are not impressed with some of his decisions.”
It is worrying times to be an Albion fan.
We are sick to death of the shoddy handling of the club by Lai and co and there appears to be no end in sight with news of a takeover going quiet.
The Daily Mail reported on March 12 that there was friction between Lai and chief executive Xu Ke over the valuation of the club with Albion ‘back on the open market’.
The lack of ambition from Lai has been startling and now we’re hearing reports that Shenzhen Bogang players have not been paid by Palm Sports.
That doesn’t bode well – surely such a move cannot happen on these shores.
With relegation back to the Championship in the offing we need reinvestment into the playing squad to mount a promotion push next season.
The foundations are there but with a whole host of loanees set to depart including key midfield men Okay Yokuslu and Conor Gallagher, as well as doubts over the future of shot-stopper Sam Johnstone, funds are required to reinvigorate this struggling side.
With Lai at the helm we won’t hold our breath.
A lack of movement in the transfer market would be concerning in itself but his handling of Shenzhen Bogang raises even bigger questions as to his suitability to be in control of a football club.
In other West Brom news, our view on the U23s star Big Sam must unleash.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.