EXCLUSIVE Wealthy landowner denies trying to force former NFL star Lorne Sam out of business because he is black and American, describing the claims as ‘ludicrous and offensive’

• Ex-Green Bay Packers star Lorne Sam took over pub in Leicestershire this year
• Landowner Alex Stroud denies racism after pub was forced to shut after dispute

A wealthy landowner has hit back at claims that he is trying to force out of business the former NFL star landlord of his village pub because he is black and American as ‘offensive’ and ‘ludicrous’.

Lorne Sam, 39, spent time with American Football teams the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos before taking over the Carington Arms in Leicestershire earlier this year, which describes itself as one of the ‘prettiest’ in the country.

But he has become embroiled in a heated race and legal row with Alex Stroud, scion of historic local lords of the manor, the Smith-Carington family, and one of the controllers of the land trust which owns the pub in the quaint village of Ashby Folville.

Responding to Mr Sam’s claims that he is being discriminated on the grounds of race and nationality, Mr Stroud told him: ‘Any suggestion of you being treated differently because of the colour of your skin or nationality is deeply offensive, massively upsetting and ludicrous.

‘We have friends of all different races and from all over the world.’

Wealthy landowner Alex Stroud (pictured) has hit back at claims that he is trying to force out of business the former NFL star landlord of his village pub because he is black and American as ‘offensive’ and ‘ludicrous’

Lorne Sam (pictured), 39, spent time with American Football teams the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos before taking over the Carington Arms in Leicestershire earlier this year, which describes itself as one of the ‘prettiest’ in the country

The Carington Arms in Leicestershire is run by former American Football player Lorne Sam

Mr Stroud, 53, lives in a lavish home worth £1 million immediately next to the pub but he and Mr Sam are refusing to talk face to face with the dispute set to be settled in the courts as he fights eviction.

READ MORE: Former NFL star Lorne Sam who took over ‘one of the UK’s prettiest pubs’ becomes locked in a row with a wealthy landowner after claiming he is being forced out of business because of his race

The former NFL star claims that he has been left £60,000 out of pocket after falling out with Mr Stroud and other members of the Ashby Folville Land Trust who accuse him of failing to carry out interior work to the historic inn and owing them £13,000 in rent arrears.

Mr Sam told MailOnline: ‘I was forced to shut the pub on October 25 for six weeks and during that time I lost over £60,000 in trade.

‘I lost out on all my regulars, including many farmers who were having down time from work and wanting to hang out in the pub with their friends.’

Mr Sam, who is from Georgia, said a fortnight ago he was allowed to re-open the pub under a ‘temporary event notice’, adding: ‘Now the community can enjoy the pub while the legal dispute is ongoing.

‘It can only trade, for the time being, from Thursday to Sunday.’

He added: ‘The dispute, which I believe is partly racial discrimination, needs to be resolved but the owners are trying to evict me.

‘I want the matter resolved with minimised damage. This is a very, very small community and people have their own opinions. Some locals are supporting me, others are not. Since I have re-opened at weekends. I notice I have lost a lot of regulars, some people are boycotting the place and are not coming back.’

He continued: ‘But I want them to know if they are ready to come back, the door will be open. This is a unique place with a unique culture.’

The dispute has deeply divided the close-knit community of Ashby Folville, with many taking to social media to voice their opinions, especially after Mr Sam posted some of his communication with Mr Stroud on social media.

The former NFL star claims that he has been left £60,000 out of pocket after falling out with Mr Stroud and other members of the Ashby Folville Land Trust who accuse him of failing to carry out interior work to the historic inn and owing them £13,000 in rent arrears

Defiant villager Bert Small insisted: ‘We are not racist around here, on the contrary we are welcoming.

‘All this “racist” talk is not good and hard to believe in this day and age.’

Philip Ciuffardi wrote on the social media page: ‘With all the gossip and rumours going around, and people not understanding why you are closed, I totally understand and sympathise as to why you have done this.

‘Things are totally without your control and people need to understand that.’

Jenna Simpson, echoing the sentiments of many, said: ‘We’re all looking forward to coming back in!’

A couple living in the village, which boasts the pub and cricket club only and no shops or other businesses, said they had known Mr Stroud for years.

The young woman, who declined to be named, said: ‘He is a nice guy and although I’m not a regular at the pub the American landlord seems popular.

‘This village mainly had white people, not posh, not working class, just normal people.’

Lorne Sam, 39, spent time with the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos in the NFL, before moving from the high-impact sport to the more genteel surroundings of the Carington Arms in Leicestershire

Her partner added: ‘I don’t think there’s a race issue here but that is what is being claimed and is why the pub has closed.

Local Claire Warrington hit out at the aggrieved landlord for publishing his dispute, saying ‘Absolutely no need for this information to be made public.’

Matt Francis said: ‘Lorne is truly trying his hardest in respect of the business to do everything possible to keep it in line and legal.

‘The amount of funds he has paid already into the company has been astronomical and has definitely shown his good intentions to the business and the pub. I and my family personally wish his all the best to the future he holds within the Carrington.

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