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Spurs chairman opposed to Wembley sale

Opposition to the sale of Wembley to Shahid Khan is hardening ahead of the FA Council meeting in a week's time.

In the minutes of the latest meeting of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust with the Spurs board on October 9th chairman Daniel Levy was asked whether Shahid Khan’s potential purchase of Wembley Stadium would impact on THFC’s plans for the NFL. Levy said it wouldn’t but he was against the sale of Wembley regardless.

He felt any London franchise was a long way off but the NFL still had the International Series so there was ample opportunity for Spurs. He pointed out that the second pitch wasn’t solely an NFL pitch. It was a multi-purpose pitch that was suitable for the NFL.

Khan is the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team and wants to use Wembley for more of the team's matches. Spurs agreed a ten year partnership with the NFL for their new stadium but delays in completing the ground meant that the Seattle Seahawks played Oakland Rangers at Wembley on Sunday.

Asked about the state of the new stadium, Mr Levy stated that every day was progress but the Board wanted certainty before coming out with a timeline. The priority of the Board was to protect the Club at all times. Asked if the next statement would give a conclusive date for the opening of the stadium, the club response was that the next communication would be an update. This doesn't sound very hopeful in terms of staging a Premier League match on Boxing Day.

Of course the board have a duty to protect the club and there is no doubt that they have its future success very much in mind. Commercial confidentiality may be a consideration. However, there are still legitimate questions about whether the communication with fans has been good as it might have been - although I would commend Spurs for having very full meetings with their Supporters' Trust.

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