Barry Hearn Ends 20-year Orient Ownership
Sports promoter Barry Hearn has sold his 90% stake in Leyton Orient Football Club to Italian businessman Francesco Bechetti, after 20 seasons in charge.
The boxing promoter, who took over as chairman during the 1994/95 season, is currently chairman of World Snooker and the Professional Darts Corporation.
The news comes just a week after Leyton Orient FC reached a confidential settlement with the Premier League over the use of the London 2012 Olympic Stadium, after the League One club challenged the decision to allow East-End rivals West Ham United to play their home games at the venue in Stratford.
Bechetti’s takeover also sees Hearn’s son Eddie resign from the Orient board, along with David Dodd and Steve Dawson, while Matthew Porter has stood down as chief executive but will remain as a director.
According to the BBC, Bechetti – who heads the Bechetti energy group – has previously been linked with takeovers for other clubs, including Reading FC and Italian second-tier side Bologna.
The third-tier club missed out on a place in the Championship last season after losing their play-off final on penalties to Rotherham.
