Fans set sights on government over RBS

LIVERPOOL fans angry at the Royal Bank of Scotland’s support of club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett could soon focus their ire on the government.

The Spirit of Shankly fans group wants RBS to sever ties with the duo less than a year after it provided a £350m refinancing package with US investment bank Wachovia.

The deal, which has left the club with annual interest payments of £30m, expires in January.

Following a £20bn bail-out the government is a majority shareholder in RBS and could become the focus for the fans’ campaign to withdraw support from the Americans.

Spirit of Shankly spokesman James McKenna admitted the government’s role had been discussed at its meetings.

He said: “It’s something we’re considering. They do have an obligation to taxpayers to consider how they use their money. Without this money the Americans would be forced to leave so we will be targeting the banks and hoping they listen to us.”

He added: “There’s been a lot of talk about the levels of debt held by football clubs. Now the government’s a shareholder in RBS it should be urging the bank not to lend to Gillett and Hicks to prevent the further extension of that debt. Maybe it’s time for the government to start calling the shots.”

Last month the group organised a day of disruption, encouraging its members to block the lines at an RBS-run call centre.