Former Hibs striker Steve Archibald has shared how he is preparing for a David v Goliath court battle against a billion-dollar energy firm.
The former Scotland international made 44 appearances for the capital club, managing to bag fifteen goals during his spell in Leith.
Following his retirement from football Archibald set up a very successful energy firm in Spain - a country he spent time in during his career playing four years for Barcelona and then a year at rivals Espanyol, the Daily Record reports.
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He alleges that he has been the victim of an “abusive” hostile takeover by a Spanish energy giant after a partnership with his own venture turned sour.
But following two years dealing with stressful paperwork and massive solicitors’ bills - the ex-Hibee is now planning on taking Nexus Energia to court next week.
Archibald, who also turned out for Aberdeen, Spurs and Fulham in a glittering career, told the Record: “It’s been time consuming, it’s been costly, it’s been a test for the brain and a stress. But I’ll see it through to the end, there’s no doubt about that.
“It is beyond abuse and it’s something I couldn’t just sit back and accept.
“All I can hope for is justice.”
Archibald launched renewable energy firm FC Energía in Barcelona in 2018, aiming to link the sector with scores of Spanish clubs.
He partnered with Madrid-based Nexus Energia - with reported annual revenues over $1.1billion - to help finance his plans and says he was instrumental in bringing thousands of new clients on board, leaving business booming.
But he was then ditched as CEO and says he could only watch helplessly as his 50 per cent shareholding in the company were slashed down to around two per cent.
Archibald, who won 27 caps for his country, had set out to create a “fair” green energy firm working with big clubs and formed collaborations with several La Liga teams, including Atletico Madrid, Seville and Valencia.
The 66-year-old said one of his proudest achievements had been offering a “hero tariff” to medical workers during the pandemic.
He claims problems began when Nexus chiefs told him they wanted him to leave the business in 2020 and a former partner who had previously been voted out was brought back in, cementing his own removal as CEO.
The Spanish football pundit said he was outvoted by the board at every turn as his shares were diluted down to almost nothing.
He said: “When I took over as CEO the business started growing exponentially. That’s when they increased the capital. It wasn’t the right time for me but if I don’t put in the same capital they put in then that reduces my shares in the company.
“That is 100 per cent against the shareholders’ agreement. All shareholders must be in agreement to any changes in the company. The rules can’t be any more black or white.
“My end result is to get my company back but it’s going to be very difficult because in the meantime they have closed it down and absorbed all of the clients into their own. It’s mind-boggling. So they will have to compensate for all of that because when I took over as CEO we had thousands and thousands of clients.
“We’re not thinking about numbers just now, we’re just looking to get some justice out of the whole thing. It’s down to the court and the judge.
“This happens more than you would think and believe. They are a billion dollar company and they think ‘we’ve got a little guy here, we’ll just steamroller him and take the company’. It’s that straightforward.”
The ex footballer first revealed he was suing Nexus in 2021, saying he had subjected to “vile and brutal” treatment at the hands of the firm.
The civil case is finally set to get underway on Friday, May 26, with virtual hearings being held through the law courts of Barcelona.
Archibald said he is confident in his legal case.
He said: “It’s been complicated. The other side have been delaying as much as possible and putting more obstacles in the way of getting to court. But after all this time and delaying we’re finally going to start.
“At least I can start moving towards a conclusion.
“It’s cost me a lot of money because lawyers have got to be paid and keep on top of everything. It’s been a very costly campaign so far but, because of the facts of the matter, I can’t let that go. I’m fighting it.
“They have a lot more resources than I have but I think my lawyers are pretty good and they’re on top of it.”
Meanwhile, Archibald has been able to remain working in the energy sector on other projects but said without the other ventures the impact of the case could have been devastating financially.
He said: “I’m involved in various different things and it’s lucky I am, because if I wasn’t I’d be dead in the water for now I’m sure.”
The Daily Record contacted Nexus Energia for comment but did not receive a response.
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