Numerous buyers interested in failed Alpari

KPMG has been appointed administrator of failed online spread betting firm Alpari, sponsors of East London football club West Ham United.

The spread betting firm closed its operations this week, after it was severely hit by the Swiss Central Bank scrapping its franc’s peg to the euro currency. The decision by the Swiss Central Bank created volatile trading conditions, which left Alpari exposed to huge loses.

KPMG stated that Alpari client funds which were in the region of £66 million would be returned to customers.

The accounting and financial advisory firm further stated that it had received offers from interested parties with regards to acquiring parts of the Alpari business.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Monday that Australian foreign exchange firm, Pepperstone were interested in acquiring Alpari business services. The company’s interest was confirmed by Co-Founder Owen Kerr who told WSJ “Alpari is something we are looking very strongly at”.

IG Index and ETX Capital are also reportedly interested in Alpari, although there has been no confirmation.

West Ham United to play with sponsorless kit as shirt sponsor goes bust

West Ham United will likely sport a kit without a shirt sponsor in the next Premier League match against Hull City on Sunday.

Alpari, West Ham United's shirt sponsor since 2013, have entered insolvency on Friday after Swiss National Bank's surprise decision to decouple the Swiss Franc against the Euro yesterday. Originally, West Ham United and Alpari UK signed a 3-year shirt sponsorship deal in February 2013 worth £3m / season.

West Ham United will likely debut the sponsorless shirt against Hull City.

In 2008, West Ham United was already forced to remove the sponsor logo from their shirt after their shirt sponsor XL, a Britain holiday group, collapsed. At that time, the club had to suspend all sales of the West Ham United replica kits and lost approximately £4m.

West Ham later released an official club statement saying that they are saddened by the news about Alpari, but also state that the sponsor situation does not danger West Ham United's financial stability. English Premier League team West Ham United are already in talks to sign a new main shirt sponsor deal:

The Board would like to reassure supporters that Alpari (UK) Limited's situation will have no impact on West Ham United. The Club has received huge interest and is already in advanced discussions with potential new shirt sponsors for next year.

Alpari had been the West Ham sponsor since Summer 2013, while Adidas makes the West Ham 14-15 Kits.