Wanted an Arsenal Fanshare? None for you!

"Some day, Gunners fans, all this will be yours… except if you're not a UK resident aged 18-65 with valid passport, bank account, etc"

For any that were seriously considering the ‘investment’ that was buying a fanshare through the Arsenal Supporters Trust, make note: they don’t want to sell you one, sucka!

You must have a UK bank account. And, of course, to have a UK bank account, they require you to be a citizen or resident.

After an inquiry as to any loopholes for purchase or the rationale, here’s what I got back:

“This Scheme is only available to people who have a UK bank account. This is because there are complex legal restrictions in other countries around the world to prevent the offer of investments into those countries. There are also complex money laundering requirements which would need to be complied with on an individual basis in each separate jurisdiction. We would very much like to accept overseas persons into the Arsenal Fanshare Scheme but we are advised there are legal restrictions preventing us from doing this. We are working with our lawyers to see if we may be able to open up this Scheme to residents in other countries so if you are an overseas resident please check back from time to time to see if we have any update to this position.”

Money laundering requirements? Interesting.

Well, they do keep referring to it as a “scheme”… which is slightly disconcerting, but overall this just blows ETH’s xmas present plans to sh*t. Any other ideas? A Spuds bloopers DVD would come a close second but it might be worth waiting a season before purchase so it can include Gallas.

So, they say, check back later… they’re still interested in selling as many shares as possible to avoid a foreign takeover. Oh goodie!