New Birmingham owners no problems meeting old regime

Birmingham owner Carson Yeung's right-hand man, Peter Pannu, has insisted there will be no bad blood when they meet previous owners David Sullivan and David Gold at Wednesday's Premier League game with West Ham at Upton Park.

The takeover went far from smoothly with allegations from both sides.

But acting chairman and finance chief Pannu is adamant relationships will be cordial.

Pannu told the Birmingham Mail: "The other party have taken over at West Ham and we wish them well. In fact, I did congratulate them myself.

"We are, after all, football people but work is work and we have to delineate on that very clearly.

"I will shake hands in the boardroom. I have no problem with that and I have had a chance to have a conference with David Sullivan and David Gold.

"We had a very candid chat. David Sullivan appears to be a very straightforward man. He speaks his mind - just like me.

"I think people must understand we are all professionals so we know how to differentiate between right and wrong, work and personal.

"I respect David Sullivan, he has got his stance, we have got ours and we agree to disagree."