Defendants named in the legal case brought by former Vancouver FC head coach Afshin Ghotbi regarding a $500,000 loan repayment issue have accused Ghotbi of using the lawsuit as a form of “litigation blackmail.” Club owners SixFive Sports and Entertainment, along with managing director Dean Shillington, have responded with a counterclaim against Ghotbi, seeking damages for breach of confidence and abuse of process.
Ghotbi initiated the civil claim last month, alleging that the club failed to repay $715,879.45 in principal and interest from the $500,000 he lent to the club in 2023. However, the counterclaim from SixFive and Shillington presents a different narrative of the events.
According to the response, the club asserts that it was Ghotbi who initially proposed investing in the club to president Rob Friend. After discussions, Ghotbi decided to provide a $500,000 loan to the club at 12% annual interest with an option to convert it to equity.
Contrary to Ghotbi’s assertion that he was to be the first to receive repayment, the response contends that Ghotbi was not a priority creditor and should have been aware that repayment was contingent on future financial events and subordinate to the club’s existing secured creditors.
The response further claims that Ghotbi breached settlement confidentiality by disclosing privileged information to the media, intending to harm SixFive and Shillington’s reputation and finances.
Vancouver FC, a member of the Canadian Professional League (CPL), where Ghotbi served as coach from 2023 until his departure in 2025, faced conflicting reports on the circumstances of his exit, with SixFive and Shillington suggesting he was terminated but agreed to a mutual departure to safeguard his professional image.
Troubles extend to Langford, where SixFive Sports and Entertainment also owns Pacific FC, another CPL team playing at Starlight Stadium. Negotiations with the City of Langford concerning stadium agreements and training center leases have stalled due to outstanding debts and unmet contractual obligations from Pacific FC. Consequently, the city will restrict stadium access to a game-by-game basis, requiring upfront payment of stadium fees two weeks before each match.
City authorities highlighted that Pacific FC owed significant sums, including $691,000 for the training center lease, $90,000 in rental fees, and unpaid maintenance charges from the previous season. Pacific FC’s managing director affirmed the club’s commitment to the upcoming season and stated ongoing disagreements with the city over contractual terms.
Efforts to obtain comments from the CPL are ongoing.
