Albion's Latest Chinese Puzzle

Official documents from the Hong Kong Company Registry raise questions about the company which borrowed nearly £5million from West Bromwich Albion.

The story of the Baggies financial situation just gets curiouser and curiouser. 

Since I posted details about the complicated layers of ownership behind Guochuan Lai’s controlling shareholding, puzzling details have emerged about Wisdom Smart Corporation Limited, the company loaned nearly £5million by the football club.

The loan, which only came to light in June 2022, more than a year after it was made, was justified on the basis that Lai’s business interests had suffered during the pandemic “particularly those in the hospitality and entertainment sector.”

Can this be squared with documents registered with the Hong Kong Company Registry – an organisation similar to the UK’s Companies House?