Libellous Claim

[VectisSaint]

I have to say that disappointingly I think there have been words, actions and "briefings" coming from both sides and it isn't just one way traffic.

 

Here's a few words from Cortese back in May(???) which could well be interpreted by some as a bit of an attack on certain individuals (whether warranted or not is up to you to decide, but the comments have definitely been made which would suggest the "banter" is two way).

 

"This speculation could be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to unsettle both the Club and Alan.......various figures with past associations to the Club have been quick to voice their opinions, ........one of whom was associated with a so-called consortium which delayed for an important few weeks last summer our plans to stabilise the Club.

 

....I will not be influenced or driven by people who seek to harm the Club..."

 

 

I would venture that this feud does exist and that sadly it is a two way thing.

Hardly a personal attack, as you say yourself "it could well be interpreted by some as a bit of an attack". A "bit of an attack", hardly a feud is it? It contains no vitriole, only a bland statement that he will not be influenced by these people. If this is the only evidence of a feud, then I stand full square behind my previous statement.

[um pahars]

Hardly a personal attack, as you say yourself "it could well be interpreted by some as a bit of an attack". A "bit of an attack", hardly a feud is it? It contains no vitriole, only a bland statement that he will not be influenced by these people. If this is the only evidence of a feud, then I stand full square behind my previous statement.

 

Well, I'm sure some would say the dig at MLT was unwarranted and personal, particularly when he was only doing what he thought was the right thing in attempting to save the Club (yes, it was an absolutely noddy bid, but I won't be criticising someone for at least attempting to do something).

 

Additionally, suggesting people are seeking to harm the Club is somewhat forthright (and I doubt that it is on the money).

 

And of course people on the other end of the spectrum would just counter with claims that MLT and Lawrie's statements aren't personal attacks on Cortese or the Club, merely offering up an opinion on the Club they support.

 

It's been going both ways for a little while and whilst I'm sure different people would apportion differing quantities of blame in varying directions, I don't think it is fair to siugest it has just been one way traffic.

[St Marco]

Is it me or does this all just seem a bit silly? If someone owes someone else money, or claims they owe them money how does that in any way affect any of us or the club we support?

 

Whats next, "chairman fails to pay telephone bill on time"?

[Gemmel]

Its a bit more indepth that than Marco and the disagreement between Cortese and Benali runs deeper than just the house issue.

[eelpie]

I do find the Benali/Liebherr owned club's 'symbiotic relationship' bizarre being that Frannie is so close to MLT and by association to MLT's consortium that failed to buy the club and so frustrated the Liebherr negotiations.

 

Presumably there must have been attempts by both sides to mend matters which at some time must have gone wrong. This is a tragedy for all parties - and the club - and us. A cooling down period is needed. I'm not sure that this thread will help in that respect. Do we need to know the details? For what positive purpose?

[Guan 2.0]

OK friends, the time for revolution is upon us, we must march on St Mary's and remove the evil tyrant. The evil dictator has only one purpose and that is to return our beloved team to the Premier league He is so single mindedlthat he removes whoever stands in his way from the kingdom be they former hero, the media, fans fraudulantly trying to obtain season tickets, or Premeirship clubs trying to turn our noble warriers to their own cause. We must occupy St Mary's in our hundreds of thousands until he is gone and we can install our true leader, the failed night club owner. Then we can bask in our former glorious (and at times not so glorious) past. All will be welcome. It doesn't matter what league we are in, if any the Southampton social club will be alive and well and we will always have '76 and the last goal at the Dell and we will be royally entertained for the rest of our days by Messrs Osmond and Davidson.

Now is not the time for doubts my fellow Saints fans now is the time for action.

Well I do have one small doubt, Nicola Cortese doesn't seem the type to me to go round trashing other people's property but hey rock & roll, what do I know.

 

What do we want?

 

Wallowing in past glories!

 

How do we want it?

 

Pinnacle!

[Saint_clark]

Its a bit more indepth that than Marco and the disagreement between Cortese and Benali runs deeper than just the house issue.

 

Based on what exactly?

[Gemmel]

Based on what exactly?

 

You'd know if your Pm box wasn't full:lol:

[Saint_clark]

You'd know if your Pm box wasn't full:lol:

 

:\ I thought they deleted themselves after a certain amount of time tbh.

[Wade Garrett]

This has been done to death. Why keep bringing it up. As someone posted earlier, this forum is so removed from normal Saints fans.

 

I couldn't give a toss about Cortese falling out with Benali or Matt. I could give a toss about us winning games and getting promoted.

 

Pointless thread.

[Deano6]

Thanks, Clarkie. I think it may be worth reposting the original post, the most sensitive part of which has been published in the Daily Mail. For the benefit of readers and administrators, it is important to note that the claims below are facts that have been reported to a close friend of mine, directly from the person(s) involved. So, it was claimed that:

 

Frannie Benali is suing Cortese for £50K for damage to his house and outstanding rent while Cortese was living there.

Cortese charges employees for parking whilst they are at work.

The club pays for Cortese's wife's manicures.

The Liebherr family aren't interested in Saints and let Cortese do what he wants apart from spend too much money.

 

Whether these claims are true,or not, it should be of concern to all Saints fans, however the team are doing on the pitch. The reason is that although Cortese is undoubtedly an excellent and talented administrator, SFC has always been a family club and one that has maintained great links with former players. That these stories exist is confirmation that there is something wrong about the relationship in some areas and it needs to be addressed. Cortese will only address it if the fans force him to, in my opinion. For Francis Benali to feel like he has to sue over what is simply a matter of money, surely isn't right. Cortese/SFC should have settled the matter privately and not allowed it to become a public issue.

 

You're so concerned about this info getting into the public domain that you restarted a thread about it, digging up "news" from September!

[Matthew Le Tissier]

The man is a dirty pig and lives like a dirty pig, and treats other peoples things like a dirty pig and is 100% a dirty pig even though he may not look like one.

 

After hearing about his antics I would have to disagree with the saying you can't polish a turd.

[benjii]

The man is a dirty pig and lives like a dirty pig, and treats other peoples things like a dirty pig and is 100% a dirty pig even though he may not look like one.

 

After hearing about his antics I would have to disagree with the saying you can't polish a turd.

 

You realise this makes you sound weird?

[buctootim]

You realise this makes you sound weird?

 

Serious business. There were pasta sauce splashes left on the hob.

[Clifford Nelson]

Well, I'm sure some would say the dig at MLT was unwarranted and personal, particularly when he was only doing what he thought was the right thing in attempting to save the Club (yes, it was an absolutely noddy bid, but I won't be criticising someone for at least attempting to do something).

 

QUOTE]

 

This clearly looked different depending on where you stood at the time. I was given the impression that without Fialka/MLT we were doomed. There wasn't really an alternative apart from some dodgy dealers and some minor interest from Switzerland. I think MLT probably thought the same. If we had been aware of the money and integrity which was behind the Swiss bid we would have felt very differently. From where NC and ML stood they were ready to buy the club and they knew that they could. The one who got it wrong was the administrator who didn't look into it or, even worse, didn't understand it.

[aintforever]

 

This clearly looked different depending on where you stood at the time. I was given the impression that without Fialka/MLT we were doomed. There wasn't really an alternative apart from some dodgy dealers and some minor interest from Switzerland. I think MLT probably thought the same. If we had been aware of the money and integrity which was behind the Swiss bid we would have felt very differently. From where NC and ML stood they were ready to buy the club and they knew that they could. The one who got it wrong was the administrator who didn't look into it or, even worse, didn't understand it.

 

 

It was the administrator's fault but he didn't do anything wrong because the club received money for Pinnacle's exclusivity. They had nothing to lose in letting Pinnacle **** about because he knew he had Leibherr and probably others lined up.

[dubai_phil]

It was the administrator's fault but he didn't do anything wrong because the club received money for Pinnacle's exclusivity. They had nothing to lose in letting Pinnacle **** about because he knew he had Leibherr and probably others lined up.

 

:lol::lol:

 

That cracked me up, I bet you believe in Santa Claus as well!

 

Or if I could find one I'd post one of those ORLY pictures of a cute Owl

 

Give Leon or MLT a call

[stmusicdude]

Can someone remind me why I would be interested in this.

 

Nope we can't .. YOU clicked the thread ...

[dubai_phil]

Well, I'm sure some would say the dig at MLT was unwarranted and personal, particularly when he was only doing what he thought was the right thing in attempting to save the Club (yes, it was an absolutely noddy bid, but I won't be criticising someone for at least attempting to do something).

 

QUOTE]

 

This clearly looked different depending on where you stood at the time. I was given the impression that without Fialka/MLT we were doomed. There wasn't really an alternative apart from some dodgy dealers and some minor interest from Switzerland. I think MLT probably thought the same. If we had been aware of the money and integrity which was behind the Swiss bid we would have felt very differently. From where NC and ML stood they were ready to buy the club and they knew that they could. The one who got it wrong was the administrator who didn't look into it or, even worse, didn't understand it.

 

MLT did not think the same, he was fully updated on other options and other bids and who was behind them. He was extremely unhappy at being suckered into being "sombody's PR B1tch" (his exact words and posted on here after I spoke to him about it all when he was here for an event)

 

Let's go back to the beginning. What happened to "The Saints Legend Match"? Start there, and then look again at the timings of "Loans to the club" it will give you pieces of a very big Jigsaw. It is also WHY all this should be closed NOW. It will hurt too many people unnecessarily, Sometimes sleeping Dogs should be left to lie.

 

And, FYI the other Dodgy Dealers now own PL football TEAMS - note the plural

[St Chalet]

This has gone slightly off-topic, can someone remind me whether this is the Cortese Vs Le Tissier Buildup or Match Thread?

[aintforever]

:lol::lol:

 

That cracked me up, I bet you believe in Santa Claus as well!

 

Or if I could find one I'd post one of those ORLY pictures of a cute Owl

 

Give Leon or MLT a call

 

I was under the impression Crouch paid for exclusivity.

 

You are a pr!ck BTW.

[Matthew Le Tissier]

Hahahaha

[itchen]

The man is a dirty pig and lives like a dirty pig, and treats other peoples things like a dirty pig and is 100% a dirty pig even though he may not look like one.

 

After hearing about his antics I would have to disagree with the saying you can't polish a turd.

 

I guess, as you haven't said which man you're talking about, the owners of this website can't be sued for libel. I wouldn't like to be them though, just in case.

[dubai_phil]

I was under the impression Crouch paid for exclusivity.

 

You are a pr!ck BTW.

 

Yep and a great big one as well.

 

However, you answered your own question which contradicted your post - CROUCH paid for exclusivity, NOT Pinnacle, and that small matter ALMOST caused ML to walk away. So IMHO the club received a loan from Leon that to all the evidence I have found so far was turned in to the exclusivity for Pinnacle. I'd love to be proved wrong, but the idea that Pinnacle had the money to pay for exclusivity will remain a lolage to anyone who saw the Mickey Fialka interview on the telly

[aintforever]

Yep and a great big one as well.

 

However, you answered your own question which contradicted your post - CROUCH paid for exclusivity, NOT Pinnacle, and that small matter ALMOST caused ML to walk away. So IMHO the club received a loan from Leon that to all the evidence I have found so far was turned in to the exclusivity for Pinnacle. I'd love to be proved wrong, but the idea that Pinnacle had the money to pay for exclusivity will remain a lolage to anyone who saw the Mickey Fialka interview on the telly

 

He obviously paid it as part of the exclusivity for Pinnacle, whoever paid it is not important to the administrator, he was just making sure the wages would be paid - that was my point.

 

d!ckhead

[dubai_phil]

He obviously paid it as part of the exclusivity for Pinnacle, whoever paid it is not important to the administrator, he was just making sure the wages would be paid - that was my point.

 

d!ckhead

 

I have all due respect for Leon who moved heaven and earth at the time to save the club. I also think that along with MLT (who for a Malibu & Coke will tell his side of the story to anyone that will listen) Leon was screwed by Tony & Mickey, so actually I am not a d1ckhead, merely a prize pr1ck

[buctootim]

So to sum up. GM started this thread to claim he had been vindicated because Benali is suing Cortese. But in fact Benali hasn't sued Cortese. If he does his case may or may not contain some of issues bandied around here as facts. Or they might be proved to inaccurate, wrong, one side of the story or just made up. No-one knows, despite quite a few people claiming they do. Q'uelle surprise.

[Matthew Le Tissier]

Oh people know! Just not you.

 

In my opinion franny has a strong strong case and it will not go to court as it will not get that far as I'm sure there will be a settlement before hand which unfortunately will mean a nice gagging order for franny. However I hope that's not the case as it would be nice for people to know what all the fuss was about.

[Weston Saint]

I know two who have spoken directly to Benali but they do not shout about it on forums because they have not spoken to Cortese.

[Wes Tender]

So to sum up. GM started this thread to claim he had been vindicated because Benali is suing Cortese. But in fact Benali hasn't sued Cortese. If he does his case may or may not contain some of issues bandied around here as facts. Or they might be proved to inaccurate, wrong, one side of the story or just made up. No-one knows, despite quite a few people claiming they do. Q'uelle surprise.

 

Weston Saint:I know two who have spoken directly to Benali but they do not shout about it on forums because they have not spoken to Cortese.

 

Exactly.

 

And this is where the whole basis of Misguided's opening post falls flat on its face.

 

Misguided Missile:For the benefit of readers and administrators, it is important to note that the claims below are facts that have been reported to a close friend of mine, directly from the person(s) involved.

 

and then.....

 

Whether these claims are true,or not, it should be of concern to all Saints fans....

 

So his post is based on facts, regardless that they are third hand and that GM has not had the benefit of hearing the other side of it from Cortese. But then again, he goes on to cast doubt on his own assertion that they are fact, because he has his caveat, "whether these claims are true or not". Surely, if they are facts, they most be true by definition.

[dubai_phil]

Exactly.

 

And this is where the whole basis of Misguided's opening post falls flat on its face.

 

 

 

and then.....

 

 

 

So his post is based on facts, regardless that they are third hand and that GM has not had the benefit of hearing the other side of it from Cortese. But then again, he goes on to cast doubt on his own assertion that they are fact, because he has his caveat, "whether these claims are true or not". Surely, if they are facts, they most be true by definition.

 

Unless of course they were ever uttered by any Politician of any persuation in any part of the World

[Viking Warrior]

I am not following this thread to the eigth degree. but if we are trying to unpick every morsel of what may have gone on re fb and Nc

 

for me Im not interested. the club is stable we are on the up but some of you just seem hell bent on destroying this club.

I witnessed it via sias during the lowe and askam days.

 

be careful for what you wish for , you might get your wish a club in administration or a club into oblivion

 

As monty pyhon would say what are you going to do next (ok its what are we going to do next.)

Gm welcome back but you should have just kept quiet instead of opening up old wounds

[CheesePie]

If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.

Bertrand Russell

[Guided Missile]

Cough, cough...

[trousers]

I was told last week that it is going to court.

 

Cough, cough...

 

Any news on a date for the court case?

[hypochondriac]

Cough, cough...

 

Any update?

[david in sweden]

It was the administrator's fault but he didn't do anything wrong because the club received money for Pinnacle's exclusivity.

They had nothing to lose in letting Pinnacle **** about because he knew he had Leibherr and probably others lined up.

 

 

.except that I'm sure I recall " someone " on here quoted: (couldn't find it )..

 

that the Liebherr bid was on the table at the end of May....and the Administrator didn't consider/investigate it ....it was some time afterwards that the Pinnacle "exclusivity bid was made.??

[Graffito]

Didnt come on here bleating about it afterwards though.........

 

Why not, you bleat about everything else.

[Morph]

"The club pays for Cortese's wife's manicures".

 

I find this such a very very naive and amusing statement.

 

Lest we forget, the Liebherr family own this club lock stock and barrel and through NC they run the club and can do what they want including paying for Mrs Cortese's manicures.

 

I remember some time back Duncan advising us of the new order at the club, but still some seem to ignore this.

 

If they wanted to they could decide that for the remaining games all home games will be played behind closed doors with no admittance to any fans and no-one could do anything about it.

 

The fans do not own this club anymore. They have absolutely no rights to tell Cortese how to run things.

 

Time for a few on here to smell the coffee and realise how things are.

 

I'm just thankfull that we have an owner and Chairman that are still interested.

 

Long may that continue.

 

Regards

 

 

Morph

[dubai_phil]

"The club pays for Cortese's wife's manicures".

 

I find this such a very very naive and amusing statement.

 

Lest we forget, the Liebherr family own this club lock stock and barrel and through NC they run the club and can do what they want including paying for Mrs Cortese's manicures.

 

I remember some time back Duncan advising us of the new order at the club, but still some seem to ignore this.

 

If they wanted to they could decide that for the remaining games all home games will be played behind closed doors with no admittance to any fans and no-one could do anything about it.

 

The fans do not own this club anymore. They have absolutely no rights to tell Cortese how to run things.

 

Time for a few on here to smell the coffee and realise how things are.

 

I'm just thankfull that we have an owner and Chairman that are still interested.

 

Long may that continue.

 

Regards

 

 

Morph

 

A wandering spirit passes by in the night to pass on some wise words.

 

You've been missed

[Sour Mash]

"The club pays for Cortese's wife's manicures".

 

I find this such a very very naive and amusing statement.

 

Lest we forget, the Liebherr family own this club lock stock and barrel and through NC they run the club and can do what they want including paying for Mrs Cortese's manicures.

 

I remember some time back Duncan advising us of the new order at the club, but still some seem to ignore this.

 

If they wanted to they could decide that for the remaining games all home games will be played behind closed doors with no admittance to any fans and no-one could do anything about it.

 

The fans do not own this club anymore. They have absolutely no rights to tell Cortese how to run things.

 

Time for a few on here to smell the coffee and realise how things are.

 

I'm just thankfull that we have an owner and Chairman that are still interested.

 

Long may that continue.

 

Regards

 

 

Morph

Why do you find it amusing and naive?

 

When has anyone suggested they have the right to tell Cortese how to run things?

[RobM]

It takes one hell of a tosser to start a 'look at me' thread like this. There are no words to describe how much of an arrogant, up themselves, egotistical, dickhead you must be to them bump it two years later for yet more 'look at me' attention... these words don't even come close.

[Graffito]

"The club pays for Cortese's wife's manicures".

 

I find this such a very very naive and amusing statement.

 

Lest we forget, the Liebherr family own this club lock stock and barrel and through NC they run the club and can do what they want including paying for Mrs Cortese's manicures.

 

I remember some time back Duncan advising us of the new order at the club, but still some seem to ignore this.

 

If they wanted to they could decide that for the remaining games all home games will be played behind closed doors with no admittance to any fans and no-one could do anything about it.

 

The fans do not own this club anymore. They have absolutely no rights to tell Cortese how to run things.

 

Time for a few on here to smell the coffee and realise how things are.

 

I'm just thankfull that we have an owner and Chairman that are still interested.

 

Long may that continue.

 

Regards

 

 

Morph

 

When did the fans ever own the club?

[Morph]

"When did the fans ever own the club?"

 

The club used to be owned by shareholders, many of whom were fans as I recall.

[The Kraken]

It takes one hell of a tosser to start a 'look at me' thread like this. There are no words to describe how much of an arrogant, up themselves, egotistical, dickhead you must be to them bump it two years later for yet more 'look at me' attention... these words don't even come close.

 

Was he incorrect in the first place?

[Graffito]

"When did the fans ever own the club?"

 

The club used to be owned by shareholders, many of whom were fans as I recall.

 

And the majority of whom were not shareholders taking a dividend from the club. Look, the fans have never owned the club.

[The Kraken]

And the majority of whom were not shareholders taking a dividend from the club. Look, the fans have never owned the club.

 

Leon Crouch?

 

Our fans once owned the club, in part. And f*cked it up. If anything it should serve as an example of why "fan ownership" is the complete antithesis of success that those deluded bunch at the other end of the M27 hope it to be.

[Graffito]

Leon Crouch?

 

Our fans once owned the club, in part. And f*cked it up. If anything it should serve as an example of why "fan ownership" is the complete antithesis of success that those deluded bunch at the other end of the M27 hope it to be.

 

You say Leon Crouch, I say Michael "COYR" Wilde. Was he a Saints fan? No wish to rake over old ground but the ordinary fans being shareholders means nothing because they control fck all. Most of us own scores of companies in the sense of being shareholders because we have pension plans or we have other investments. We have no effective control over those companies.

 

As for the skates, fair play to them in going for fan ownership.

[Saint_clark]

Its a pity that rather than sort this in private, NC decides to add to his long list of pointless public disputes. When next will his peculiar brand of management appear?

 

This post is quite ironic, considering he's actually been one of the most private chairmen in the land and any (if not all) public disputes have come from the opposite end.

[krissyboy31]

And the majority of whom were not shareholders taking a dividend from the club. Look, the fans have never owned the club.

 

Pretty sure Morph was referring to pre-reverse takeover days and the likes of the Corbett family.