Mugabe in Barnsley takeover bid

Reports are emerging that controversial Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe is laying the foundations for a takeover at Barnsley Football Club.

Mugabe’s representatives have been in contact with current owner Patrick Cryne about the possibility of a sale at various times throughout the past week, and although they were initially met with a stark refusal, Mr. Cryne’s stance appears to have softened as the week wore on and may now be ready to listen to Mugabe’s proposals.

Quite why Mr. Cryne has changed his attitude towards the takeover is the subject of much speculation, fuelled in no small part by a photo run in the Barnsley Herald on Tuesday showing what appeared to be a badly bruised Mr. Cryne leaving his office along with two members of the Zimbabwean National Guard.

There has so far been no comment from Barnsley Football Club, or indeed Mr. Cryne, who has not been seen since Monday afternoon, when the photo was taken.

Mugabe confirmed his interest at a press conference in Harare yesterday, but denied that the takeover was in any way hostile.