Massone's Livingston D-day with West Lothian council

LIVINGSTON chairman Angelo Massone will today meet West Lothian council for crunch talks and attempt to persuade the officials to sell the stadium to the club.

The Italian wants to gain ownership of Almondvale to push ahead with his plans for the ground. However, before the proposed sale is even broached at the all-important meeting, council leader Peter Johnston is set to grill Massone over how he intends to pay the First Division club's rent arrears, which are estimated to be over £100,000.

The outstanding monies is from Livingston's use of Almondvale during the 2007/08 campaign, a debt Massone inherited when he completed the Italian consortium's takeover from Irish businessman Pearse Flynn last summer. Council chiefs will also seek assurances that rent from this season will be paid as an invoice is expected to land on Massone's desk on 12 May.

Massone has also been invited to attend to the Scottish Football League's management committee meeting at Hampden to explain the worsening crisis at the First Division outfit.

It's thought the SFL want to speak to him face-to-face after the entire playing staff signed a letter for the football authority that outlines their concerns over the late payment of wages.