Vancouver FC Owners Contest $716K Lawsuit from Ex-Coach Ghotbi

The owners of Vancouver FC are disputing a lawsuit filed by the club’s former head coach, Afshin Ghotbi, who is seeking the repayment of a $715,879.45 loan he provided to the team in 2023. Ghotbi claims that the club has failed to repay the principal and interest on the $500,000 loan. In response, the club’s owners, SixFive Sports and Entertainment, along with managing director Dean Shillington, have labeled the lawsuit as “blackmail by litigation” and have filed a counterclaim against Ghotbi for alleged breach of confidence and abuse of process.

According to Ghotbi’s civil claim, the club assured him he would be prioritized for repayment. However, the owners argue that Ghotbi was not a priority creditor, asserting that he “knew or ought to have known” that the loan would take a backseat to existing secured creditors. They contend that Ghotbi initially proposed the idea of investing in the club to president Rob Friend and later opted to loan the funds rather than pursue an equity stake.

Ghotbi’s lawsuit, filed last month, states that the loan agreement included an interest rate of 12 percent per year and an option to convert the loan into equity. The owners counter this narrative, claiming that Ghotbi initially expressed interest in converting the loan to equity but later changed his mind, demanding repayment instead.

In a contentious turn, the response from SixFive and Shillington accuses Ghotbi of improperly releasing information regarding the lawsuit to the media. They assert that Ghotbi’s actions were intended to inflict reputational damage on both the club and Shillington, which they describe as a “blatant, malicious and improper” breach of settlement privilege.

Vancouver FC is one of eight teams in the Canadian Professional League (CPL), the premier men’s soccer league in Canada. Ghotbi coached the team from its inaugural season in 2023 until his departure in July 2025. The circumstances around his exit have also sparked disputes, with Ghotbi claiming the decision was mutual, while the club maintains he was terminated, albeit characterized publicly as a mutual parting to protect his professional reputation.

Compounding the club’s challenges, SixFive Sports and Entertainment also owns Pacific FC, which is based in Langford, British Columbia. Recent negotiations between the city and Pacific FC regarding a stadium agreement and an indoor training facility lease have stalled due to unresolved debts, amounting to approximately $691,000, owed by the club to the city.

On September 15, 2023, the City of Langford announced that it would only make Starlight Stadium available to Pacific FC on a game-by-game basis, contingent on the payment of stadium fees two weeks in advance of each game. The city cited unmet contractual obligations and outstanding financial commitments as reasons for this decision.

Pacific FC’s managing director, Ross Marshall, expressed commitment to the 2026 season and confirmed their intention to settle the stadium-use fee. He noted that while the club has invested significantly in the local community, there are ongoing disputes regarding the interpretation of their agreements with the city.

The complexities surrounding the legal disputes and financial obligations faced by both Vancouver FC and Pacific FC highlight the precarious nature of professional sports management in Canada, particularly within the growing landscape of the CPL. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcomes could have lasting implications for both clubs and their relationships with stakeholders.