Morecambe FC ownership fight may soon end

Diego Lemos, a Brazilian businessman who is claiming ownership of the club, has been told to pay more than £86,000 in costs within a fortnight or his case will be struck out.

The High Court in Manchester made the ruling on Tuesday.

Mr Lemos, who was not present for the hearing, claims he is the majority shareholder in G50 Holdings, a company he set up to buy shares in Morecambe FC last September.

He has applied for an injunction over G50 and Morecambe FC.

But tax consultant Graham Burnard is also claiming ownership because Mr Lemos did not pay him for the share issue in G50 so he retained 99 per cent of shares in his own name.

Four conditions of an order were read out at the High Court which Mr Lemos must comply with by 5pm on May 16.

The court was unsure of Mr Lemos’ whereabouts so the order will be emailed to him.

They also heard that Mr Lemos’ previous solicitors were no longer acting for him.

If he complies with the order there will be more hearings.

Lynne Brooke, a solicitor representing Mr Burnard, said afterwards that the Shrimps were in a good position now and that Mr Burnard had stabilised the club.

Amidst a cash crisis at the Globe Arena this season, staff wages have been paid for the last few months with the help of Abdulrahman Al-Hashemi, a Qatari businessman who Mr Burnard works for.

Mr Al-Hashemi first came into the club as co-chairman alongside Mr Lemos when the Brazilian was unveiled as the new owner of Morecambe FC last September.

But in December, Mr Al-Hashemi resigned saying Mr Lemos had “seriously misled” him.