ADO express confidence in Chinese owner

Despite some concerns surfacing earlier this month as Chinese owner United Vansen (UVS) defaulted on payments totalling €1.9 million, Dutch soccer club ADO Den Haag has expressed confidence in the co-operation with its Chinese owner, according to Xinhua.

ADO's general director Jan Willem Wigt said at a press conference on December 7 that the deadline for two instalments by United Vansen had passed and he urged United Vansen boss Wang Hui to pay in advance of a shareholders meeting on December 18. However, Wang failed to show up and the meeting was postponed. Nevertheless, one day later ADO announced that both parties had reached a financial solution.

"The money is not there yet, but we expect it in the coming days," spokesman Ronald van der Geer said. "Based on conversations and what we have seen, we are confident that the payments are on their way."

Wang said that he found all the tension in the Netherlands to be a bit exaggerated.  "The problems are a result of cultural misunderstandings," he said. "We still have to get used to each other."

According to Wang, payments take so long because of China's regulations on doing business abroad. "Foreign payments have to go through a series of procedures," he added.

Despite stories in the Dutch media, spokesperson Van der Geer expressed confidence in the Chinese owner.

"We have a lot of confidence in the cooperation with United Vansen and Mr. Wang," Van der Geer said. "There are cultural differences and that is acknowledged by both parties, but we have come together. The small misunderstandings are gone."

Source: Xinhua

Proofread by John Devlin