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Arsenal Supporters Can Rely On Alisher Usmanov
By Josh Sippie
![Kremlin.ru [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F912bcae18bcbf38ff40180dda7291f5f18054920803c4f92427bc0cbca68dbad.jpg "Kremlin.ru [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
The level of tension between Arsenal’s fan base and their board is getting worse and worse. It has always been a bit strained but nowadays there appears to be no end in sight.
In the past, it has always been focused on transfers. Why was the Arsenal board not spending any money? Also, why were all of our best players leaving? Was the financial situation so dire that Arsenal had to sell all of their players and buy Sebastian Squillaci?
The latest tiff comes from Arsenal’s annual general meeting. Chub chairman Sir Chips Keswick, who, aside from sounding like an 18th century explorer, has also threatened to cancel the AGM in light of recent events.
At the most recent AGM, Arsenal supporters and shareholders alike were rightfully questioning the board, rather harshly at times. They wanted to know why tickets continued to skyrocket and why Stan Kroenke is the happy recipient of of a “strategic and advisory services” check of £3 million.
Questions were raised, not only by Arsenal fans, but by shareholders as well. Even Alisher Usmanov was raising his suspicions, asking prior to the AGM whether “value for money is being obtained” by Arsenal.
Everything reached a boiling point when a question rang out from the floor: “Is there a written contract or is it like Platini and Blatter’s verbal agreement?”
Sir Keswick was less than amused and berated those in attendance. It was then that he threatened to cancel the AGM if this continued to be to way proceedings went. But his further explanations were not even close to satisfactory. There is no written contract. There is nothing. Apparently Keswick saw it necessary to send Kroenke a large amount of money for ‘advice’.
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This tension is becoming a problem. There is a tremendous lack of transparency between the board and the supporters that pay their exorbitant prices. Something has to be done but the the board, led by Sir Chips Keswick, appear so out of touch with reality.
The only bright side from all of this is the shareholders. They wanted clarification for the payment as well. None was provided. At least the fans can rest easy knowing that the shareholders appear to be on their side. Alishair Usmanov always appears to have the fans interest at heart. It was not that long ago that he was slamming Arsene Wenger for his mistakes. His statements were spot on. You could say that they are still spot on. Arsenal are still so far behind the best clubs in Europe.
That comes from a lack of financial investment. Arsenal is a fantastic business but as a football team they still have so many questions. Why couldn’t a few more signings have been made to shore up an otherwise superb team? It seems to be such an easy solution but there was only silence.
It may be small condolence, but at least Arsenal supporters have some heavy hitters like Alishair Usmanov in their ring. That has to account for something.
Next: 10 Worst Signings Under Arsene Wenger