The talk took place on August 26 in a room at the Uno stadium. It was a while before the game that Estudiantes had to play against Boca for the 12th round of the Professional League. In perfect English, Juan Sebastián Verón and Foster Gillett Jr. They talked about Premier League anecdotes, a topic that the Witch knows well. After all, between 2001 and 2004 she wore the shirts of Manchester United and Chelsea. Then, they delved into what could be the first step for a revolutionary project in Argentine soccer, since the North American businessman is willing to invest 100 million dollars to accompany the growth of the La Plata club.
Yes indeed, There are no Sports Joint Stock Companies that are relevant in this matter. For fans of most clubs it is a “bad word”. Claudio Tapia himself was in charge of demonizing them and even resorted to the Federal Justice Department to close their path. Verón looks for another instrument, more typical of the German model. The president of Estudiantes, in short, was the first leader to speak of the need to open the doors to foreign private capital.
“We have to change the way clubs are managed to achieve that link between the public and the private and for everyone to win. The clubs can no longer grow by their own means. They are on their way to bankruptcy”Verón said in April. And he emphasized: “We built the stadium thanks to private capital. We must offer more alternatives without that meaning selling the club. Just because a private person comes to do a business that serves the club does not mean doing a SAD”.
In that sense, Gillett Jr. could offer financing for the expansion of the UNO stadium, which today has room for 32,530 people. The project, carried out by the club’s Secretary of Works, Miguel Menno, has the ultimate goal of closing the two elbows with a double function: adding capacity and giving new functionality to the field. And at the same time, they will seek to roof the three remaining sides on streets 55, 57 and 115.
Infrastructure is one of the issues that stand out in Verón’s management. And the search for a capitalist will allow you to achieve this. But it is not the only point that reveals the former midfielder. Also, the development of youth football and adding hierarchy reinforcements for the professional team, which will compete in the Copa Libertadores next year. Promoting the Estudiantes brand requires a powerful investment. Also, in women’s soccer, one of Gillett Jr.’s weaknesses.
The 47-year-old businessman was accompanied by Guillermo Tofoniwho was in charge of organizing the friendlies of the Argentine National Team, is one of the main promoters of the SAD and the link with the Government. Verón was not the only leader that Gillett Jr. met during his time in Buenos Aires. Also, he had a brief conversation with Andrés Fassi, president of Talleres, whom he met during the duel between River and Talleres for the round of 16 of the Libertadores. The leaders of Independiente and San Lorenzo chose not to receive him, even though they sought to arrange a meeting.
“We must create a kind of associative contract that allows the Non-Profit Civil Association to have shares in the company. “We are looking for a way”he confided to Clarion someone close to the negotiations.
Verón, at the Estudiantes stadium. (Clarin Archive)Gillett Jr.’s father owned Liverpool. After disagreements with his partner Tim Hicks, the share package was transferred. The experience left a mark on the magnate who came to Argentina with the desire to bet on our football and who sees in Javier Miley a President who generates confidence, despite the obstacles that the AFA tries to put in place. Veron too. Without going any further, He held several meetings with the libertarian president at the Casa Rosada.
What will the North American receive in return? “We want a virtuous circle,” they say close to him. Ticketing and percentages of players could be part of an agreement that is still greenbut it could close at the end of the year. Before, of course, the partners will have to be consulted in respective assemblies.