Saturday, October 10, 2009
Saudi-Zionist honeymoon
Karim sent me this (I cite with his permission): "Interesting and twisted story about the lack of transparency and scruples in business. Not sure if you are tracking this. Portsmouth is a premier league club in England. In 2006 Sacha Gaydamak, son of Russian-Israeli billionaire (and shady businessman) Arcady who also is the owner of of Israeli side Beitar Jerusalem, bought Portsmouth. There was talk that the Russians are buying English football clubs (like Chelsea) to enhance their profile in UK and, controversially, launder money. Portsmouth recruited former Israeli national manager as Director of Football and several Israeli players. Last year, Gaydamak sold the club to Dubai based Sulaiman al-Fahim, who has been a disaster for the club, and they are this season not doing well at all because little money has been invested in the club. Al Fahim has just now sold to Saudi businessman Ali Al Faraj, whose first act was to re-hire...Avram Grant, the former Israeli national coach (who, after he left Porstmouth was hired, surprisingly, by Chelsea who are also owned by Russian-Israeli oligarch Roman Abramovich)! How twisted is all this?"