South Wales Echo report on Day 1 from the High Court

Last updated : 13 March 2008 By Michael Morris

CARDIFF City's legal team have pledged to show today that Sam Hammam is heavily involved with the mysterious creditor threatening the club's future.

The Bluebirds' barrister made the claim at the end of the first day of a legal hearing that could send the club into administration.

David Wolfson told the High Court in London: "We will show Sam Hammam equals Langston."

Mr Wolfson spoke after a day of legal argument during which a barrister acting for Langston explained why the mysterious Panamanian firm is demanding immediate repayment of the £24m it loaned Cardiff City in 2004.

The barrister's court pledge contradicts what former City chairman Sam Hammam told the Echo last year. In December Hammam wrote to the paper saying: "I am not Langston and I can't tell them what to do. They got fed up with me long ago. I have no power with them."

If the judgement goes against the football club, it will have to repay up to £30m to Langston immediately.

FULL STORY HERE