Russian banking tycoon Alexandre Gaydamak took over as co-owner of struggling Portsmouth on Friday and shrugged off allegations that he and his father, Arkady, had a murky business background.
Gaydamak faced the British media after Portsmouth confirmed he was teaming up with chairman Milan Mandaric and most of the questions were about his family's business record.
Arkady Gaydamak, billionaire owner of Israel's Beitar soccer club and Hapoel Jerusalem basketball team, is under investigation in Israel for alleged money laundering, which he denies.
His son told reporters at a news conference at Fratton Park that his father had nothing to do with his own involvement with Portsmouth, which reportedly cost him ?15 million (21.75 million euros).
"Portsmouth Football Club is a business I am investing in," Alexandre Gaydamak said. "There is no relationship between my father and the football club.
"It is my money from 10 years of working. It is completely my money from working in finance and real estate."
Portsmouth, which is second from last in the Premier League, hopes that Gaydamak's arrival will provide the club with the money to buy some top players and get the team out of relegation trouble.
Although Pompey fans hope that he is another version of Roman Abramovich, who has invested ?300 million (435 million euros) in transforming Chelsea into a wealthy title-winning club, Gaydamak dismissed suggestions that he could do the same.
"Roman Abramovich and I are completely different people," he said. "In fact I feel uncomfortable being compared to him.
"He is big and I am small by comparison. We are in a different league. He is at Chelsea doing his thing and I will be at Portsmouth doing mine.
"I see myself as a person who found an opportunity and a very strong challenge, not a savior. You think I'm the savior? That is a joke."
But Portsmouth has begun to spend some of his money.
After Polish striker Emmanuel Olisadebe joined the club on a six-month contract from Panathinaikos, Pompey announced the signing of another forward, Benjani Mwaruwari, from French club Auxerre, subject to a work permit being issued. The fee for the Zimbabwe international striker will be a club record ?4.1 million (5.9 million euros).
Thierry Henry dismissed speculation about a move to FC Barcelona by saying he will stay with Arsenal next season, according to an English tabloid.
There has been months of speculation that the French striker might leave the Gunners after six seasons, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reacted to questions on Friday by saying he was confident Henry wasn't secretly negotiating a move.
The Greek basketball league finals between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos were suspended by the government on Monday following on-court scuffles involving rival security teams. The best-of-five series is at 1-1. The third game, scheduled for today, has been postponed. The owners of both clubs were summoned to meet with the country’s sports minister. They “will be asked to provide explicit guarantees that this situation will be brought to an end. If not, this year’s championship will be definitively canceled,” government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said. “There can be no tolerance for such pathological phenomena of violence and delinquency.” In online posts, the owners of Panathinaikos and
The Crusaders yesterday produced a clinical performance in difficult conditions to beat the Queensland Reds 32-12 and claim home advantage in next week’s Super Rugby semi-finals. Lock Scott Barrett and prop Tamaiti Williams scored first-half tries to reward an outstanding performance from the Crusaders’ forwards in wet, slippery conditions and bitterly cold temperatures. Scrumhalf Noah Hotham defied the conditions in the second half to score a superb solo try and, after kicking a conversion and penalty to make the score 22-0 at the hour mark, flyhalf Rivez Reihana scored a try which took the game beyond the Reds. “Typical Christchurch weather, cold, wet
Ryan Yarbrough picked up a dazzling World Series ring from his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Then he went out and beat them. The New York Yankees starter on Sunday pitched one-run ball over six innings, struck out a season-high five and blanked the Dodgers’ top four hitters in a 7-3 win. “I feel like I’m in a really good place right now and really trying to continue that,” Yarbrough said. “I’m having a lot of fun.” The 33-year-old left-hander made 44 relief appearances between the Dodgers and Blue Jays last season. The Dodgers designated him for assignment on July
Spain starlets Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams dazzled on Thursday as La Roja beat France 5-4 in a thriller in Stuttgart, Germany, to set up a UEFA Nations League final with Portugal. Yamal bagged a brace, while Williams scored and provided an assist as the two wingers cut France’s makeshift defense to ribbons. Mikel Merino and Pedri were also on the score sheet for the UEFA Euro 2024 champions. Kylian Mbappe netted a second-half penalty, but Spain were 5-1 up and cruising, before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal. France’s three late goals — a
RSS