Liverpool CEO’s letter to fans agreeing to emergency meeting after ESL fiasco

Liverpool chief Billy Hogan has agreed to an emergency meeting with fans' group Spirit of Shankly following last week's European Super League fiasco.

The club's chief executive officer made the pledge in a letter to the supporters' group, in response to calls from fans for Spirit of Shankly (SOS) to be represented at board level.

Reds owner John W Henry apologised to fans following the events of last week, which saw the Premier League's 'Big Six' clubs backtrack on plans to join a controversial breakaway league following a furious backlash from across the world of football.

SOS last week polled its members on what the next step should be – with 89% of respondents voting for the supporters' group to have a presence on Liverpool's board so it could engage with owners Fenway Sports Group.

And Hogan has responded after the calls were communicated to the club.

In a letter to SOS which was shared on social media, Hogan said: “On behalf of Liverpool Football Club, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the statement released by Spirit of Shankly (April 26, 2021) and also the position that you have taken on behalf of your members following consultation with them.

"I wanted to respond at the earliest possible opportunity for two reasons. Firstly, to restore good faith to our engagement process as quickly as possible and secondly, to underline the seriousness with which we are taking the current situation and the need for positive, meaningful change to occur.

"In this respect, it is positive that SOS has opted to re-engage with the club as it will allow the necessary conversations to take place, for views to be aired and, hopefully, for workable solutions to be found in keeping with the best interests of the club."

The letter added: “In the spirit of your approach, I will seek to convene an initial meeting as soon as our diaries allow.”

Following last week's survey, SOS released a statement which read: "In voting to continue engagement with FSG, they must now make a decision.

"Their actions shamed the LFC, but they can accept the values and principles of our club and react positively, Together we can lead the change for the future of our game.

"We call for a reconstitution of the board that includes effective, elected and accountable fan representation, and not for members of the current LFC board to be that elected representative.

"This cannot be token representation, but one that has the ‘golden share’ on the decision-making process.

"We believe this is both practical and achievable. If FSG do not embrace this position, we will then consider how to respond.

"We must also take the opportunity to work alongside other supporter trusts and the FSA, to ensure the government’s review into football governance includes giving fans a say in how their clubs are run. A true supporters voice at the heart of decision making."

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