Blues owner reveals Yeung fears

Updated 15.53 Sat Oct 27 2007

Keywords: Carson Yeung, Premier League, David Sullivan, Birmingham City, sport, football

Birmingham City co-owner David Sullivan believes Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung is "damaging" the club by dragging out his takeover.

And Sullivan has also insisted that the current St Andrews board will not extend the buy-out deadline beyond Christmas.

Carson Yeung has put a freeze on any new contracts to City staff, most notably refusing to negotiate a new deal for manager Steve Bruce

Yeung has put a freeze on any new contracts to City staff, most notably refusing to negotiate a new deal for manager Steve Bruce.

Sullivan has been frustrated by a lack of communication from Yeung's team and has stressed that he will not be part of the picture if the buy-out does go through.

The Blues co-owner has been quoted as saying: "We did not expect an extended takeover period preventing us from offering contracts to staff - particularly Steve Bruce, who deserves a new deal. This is a difficult and unusual position for the board.

"Despite Carson's assurances that he would maintain staff, I have to say I've been shocked and disappointed that he will not let the current board finalise a contract with the club's longest-serving and most successful manager. It's a credit to Steve and the players that they are giving their all."

Sullivan continued: "Despite sending repeated emails to his number two, explaining the position and the damage something like this could do to the team, I am still waiting for a reply - some three weeks later.

"I cannot believe that Carson and his group do not realise how damaging their actions are for the club."

He added of the buy-out deadline which applies to the Yeung consortium's proposed takeover: "Some supporters have asked, 'Why don't you pull out of the deal to sell to Carson Yeung?'.

"Legally, we can. But I've given him my word. I will honour my agreement to give them until Christmas to complete the deal but, in the event they do not, I'll have plenty more to say.

"They will not be given a single day's extension and things will not be allowed to drag on. Supporters have my guarantee that this will not continue after Christmas."