Vibrac Corporation is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. They have made national newspaper headlines in the United Kingdom for providing multi-million pound financial arrangements with Premier League football clubs, typically providing them with cash advances on guaranteed broadcasting fees. Inasmuchas the company is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands it is impossible to determine who the lender is, even though the loans have been approved by the omnibus Premier League company.
| Industry | Finance |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Tortola , British Virgin Islands |
- Everton
In August 2011, Vibrac provided Everton F.C. with a loan secured against guaranteed broadcasting fees due in the following two seasons.[1] Everton renewed the arrangement with Vibrac in 2012 and 2013.
- Fulham
In April 2013, a facility was provided to Fulham F.C. to enable the club to borrow against future guaranteed income.[citation needed] The facility was settled when Shahid Khan purchased Fulham in August 2013.[citation needed]
- Southampton
In April 2012, a debenture facility was provided to Southampton.[2]
- West Ham United
In September 2013, a facility was provided to West Ham United.[citation needed]
- Reading
Reading secured a £10m loan against the August 2014 parachute payment due after their relegation from the Premier League, this was secured after relegation.[3] Upon receiving the £10m parachute payment Reading will owe Vibrac a remaining £1.5million. With Reading seemingly unable to make the remaining payment Vibrac called in BGT to oversee the sale of the club. Vibrac pushed through the sale of Adam Le Fondre to Cardiff and seemingly made things difficult for the chairman, Sir John Madejski, by changing terms of sale on several occasions. This led to many potential investors disengaging with the club, whilst Vibrac sought to push through sale to the mystery Phoenix consortium, which involves former director, and person responsible for bringing Vibrac into Reading, Chris Samuelson. This called the Football League to look into the inappropriate role that Vibrac have given themselves, of running the club without having undertaken the Fit and Proper Persons Test.[4] Reading were subsequently fined £30,000 by The Football League in March 2015.[5]
References
edit- ^ Scott, Matt (19 September 2011). "Everton mortgage future broadcast income to alleviate cashflow problem". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ Leitch, Adam (6 October 2012). "Mystery over Southampton FC 'loan' from Vibrac Corporation". Daily Echo. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ Watts, Charles (11 June 2014). "Reading FC takeover: What do we know about Vibrac?". Get Reading. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ^ Watts, Charles (13 June 2014). "Reading FC takeover: Phoenix make £5m offer as Football League look into Vibrac's involvement".
- ^ "Football Disciplinary Commission Judgment: Reading". www.football-league.co.uk/. The Football League. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.