The Football Association has been asked to investigate the circumstances of Flavio Briatore’s takeover of Queens Park Rangers by Antonio Caliendo, the club’s former majority shareholder bought out by the Formula One tycoon.
Briatore bought the club together with Bernie Ecclestone, from a consortium, including Caliendo, in Aug 2007.
Caliendo, though, is believed to be unhappy with the deal struck on his behalf and has also instructed litigation specialists Charles Fussell & Co, and noted QC Steven Gee, to institute proceedings over the sale.
His solicitors sent a 12-page document to Mishcon de Reya, the club’s lawyers at the time of the takeover, detailing the Italian’s grievances. It is believed the matter is now in the hands of Mishcon’s professional indemnity insurers, who have three months to respond under the terms of the Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol.
It is believed Briatore plans to sell QPR should they fail to qualify for the Premier League, though that sale may be complicated by the legal action and any FA probe.