BBC report on Day 1 at the High Court

Last updated : 13 March 2008 By Michael Morris
The former chairman of Cardiff City football club, Sam Hammam, has been named as the man behind a bank demanding repayment of £31m in loans.

The club spent the day in the High Court after legal action brought by Swiss based financiers.

The Langston Corporation claims the club has failed to make a payment on the loan made in 2004.

However, for the first time, the club's barrister named Mr Hammam as the man behind Langston.

The bankers want the court to make a summary judgement in the case, which would see Cardiff City facing a bill to repay £24m immediately of the £31m that is outstanding.

But the club claims the loan is not repayable until 2016 and it could face an uncertain future if it loses the case.

FULL STORY HERE