Vancouver FC Owners Counter Lawsuit from Former Coach Ghotbi

A legal dispute has emerged between the owners of Vancouver FC and their former head coach, Afshin Ghotbi, regarding a loan repayment of $716,000. Ghotbi has filed a lawsuit claiming the club failed to repay a $500,000 loan he provided in March 2023. In response, club owners SixFive Sports and Entertainment and managing director Dean Shillington have countered the allegations, labeling the lawsuit as “blackmail by litigation.”

Ghotbi’s civil claim, lodged last month, states he is owed $715,879.45 in principal and interest for the loan. However, the owners argue that Ghotbi initially proposed the idea of investing in the club to Rob Friend, the club president. They allege that Ghotbi intended to make an equity investment but ultimately opted for a loan with an annual interest rate of 12 percent, along with an option to convert the loan into equity.

In his lawsuit, Ghotbi asserts that the club assured him he would be prioritized for repayment. Contrary to this claim, the response from SixFive and Shillington contends that Ghotbi was not a priority creditor. They argue that he “knew or ought to have known” that his loan would be subordinate to the existing secured creditors of SixFive, and that repayment hinged on future liquidity events.

The owners further assert that Ghotbi acted improperly by disclosing confidential information when he shared the details of his claim with the media. They accuse him of “blatantly, maliciously and improperly” breaching settlement privilege for the purpose of inflicting reputational harm on the club and Shillington.

Ghotbi served as head coach of Vancouver FC from its inception in the Canadian Professional League (CPL) until his departure in July 2025. While Ghotbi claims the decision to part ways was mutual, court documents from SixFive and Shillington state that he was actually terminated. They claim this was publicly framed as a mutual decision at Ghotbi’s request to protect his professional reputation.

Financial Troubles and Stadium Negotiations

The situation surrounding Vancouver FC coincides with challenges faced by their sister club, Pacific FC. SixFive Sports and Entertainment also owns Pacific FC, which has encountered difficulties in negotiations with the City of Langford regarding a stadium agreement and indoor training centre lease. On March 20, 2024, Langford announced that negotiations had stalled due to outstanding debts the club owes to the city.

Reports indicate that Pacific FC owes $691,000 for its training centre lease and an additional $90,000 in rental fees. The city has stated that Pacific FC will only be allowed access to Starlight Stadium on a game-by-game basis if the stadium fees are paid at least two weeks in advance.

The managing director of Pacific FC, Ross Marshall, expressed the club’s commitment to the upcoming season, stating, “Langford has long been Pacific FC’s home, and the club has invested deeply in the community.” He acknowledged, however, that there are significant disagreements between the club and the city regarding the interpretation of their agreements.

The unfolding legal and financial issues facing Vancouver FC and Pacific FC reflect broader challenges in the sports landscape, particularly for teams in the CPL. As the situation develops, both clubs will need to navigate these complexities to ensure their operational stability and reputation within the community.