Massone aims to take full control of the stadium before 30 June

Livingston chairman Angelo Massone will meet the leader of West Lothian Council on Thursday to agree the way forward towards the sale of Almondvale Stadium.

Massone had announced on the club website that a "mutually agreed price" had been agreed for the Division One outfit to purchase their home ground.

But council leader Peter Johnston says that this was premature.

"We gave Livingston a deadline of 30 June to prove they have funds in place to purchase the stadium," he said.

"As part of these discussions, we also required Livingston to clear all outstanding debts to the council and accept a clause that allows us to buy back the stadium for the original purchase price were it not to be used for football.

"We do not have an agreement in place with Livingston Football club to sell the stadium.

"We are looking to safeguard the future of professional football in Livingston.

"Maintaining professional football in Livingston is a priority for us."

However, Massone, who headed an Italian consortium that took control of the First Division side last summer, is insisting that Livingston do have an agreement.

"I have a signed document that says a fixed price has been agreed between the council and Livingston Football Club that would mean we have an option to buy the stadium by 30 June 2009 if we pay the fixed price and the rent arrears," he told BBC Scotland.

Livingston have been dogged by reports of financial shortcomings all season, with a row over the delayed payment of players' wages still rumbling on.

Massone has also already disposed of two managers during his short reign, firing Roberto Landi and recently suspending his countryman's replacement, Paul Hegarty.

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