A Chinese businessman has had his £200 million bid for Southampton FC blocked by the Premier League after an investigation linked him to bribery and execution.
Gao Jisheng, the founder and chairman of Lander Sports Development, was found to have gifted money and jewellery to Chinese officials - with one deputy mayor sentenced to death as a result.
It was one of a number of extraordinary bombshells which emerged as part of a due diligence investigation into the potential purchase of Southampton.
Lawyers acting for the tycoon are is expected to meet Premier League bosses to reach a final verdict on Thursday.