Mega Bucks Pompey??

Fratton Fred

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/UAE-billionaire-39in-talks-to.5308285.jp

UN Goodwill Ambassador Sulaiman Al Fahim is reported to have signed a deal to take over the Premier League club

Mr Al Fahim, is said to be in Rome along with current Pompey owner Alexandre Gaydamak where the deal is said to be coming together.

The deal is being done through Al Fahim's new investment vehicle Al Fahim Asia Associates (AAA), according to the well-respected arabianbusiness.com.

It has been structured by specialist international private equity and asset management firm Falcon Group.

Sources close to Portsmouth FC have confirmed that talks are taking place.

CHD

Can wait to see all the speculation of who your going to sign.Raul to Pompey!

Royale with Cheese

Yet another takeover...

missingtime

Oh dear.

invincibleirish

Any war crimes/financial embezzlement/corporate fraud to declare?

leninbenjamin

invincibleirish wrote: »

Any war crimes/financial embezzlement/corporate fraud to declare?

he's on the board of the group who own City, or something like that. could get messy by the sounds of things.

Headshot

leninbenjamin wrote: »

he's on the board of the group who own City, or something like that. could get messy by the sounds of things.

isnt that againat epl rules or somthing

sounds right dodgy

isnt he the fella who was saying city are going to buy C.Ronaldo and fabregas

invincibleirish

This is the Premier League, i'm sure a little bureaucratic shuffling should brush this problem aside and let the rich guy buy in.

Headshot

invincibleirish wrote: »

This is the Premier League, i'm sure a little bureaucratic shuffling should brush this problem aside and let the rich guy buy in.

but the PL have added a rule or two about ownership of a club

after the fiasco of Shinawatra

invincibleirish

I remain sceptical, the powers that be are very good at cleaning up after the event has happened -think Tevez & Shinawatra- but are they really going to stop the wheels of capitalism grinding away?.

I mean we could go into how crappy the UAE is an awful petroarchy with zero respect for any freedoms except the free market and royal family members whims.

No matter what concerns are raised about this guy so long as he's got the dough then he's alright.

thebaz

with Sunderland being sold to an American billionaire today also, i wonder why no one wants to invest in everton - if only i had some spare dosh

SectionF

As a sometime admirer of Pompey, I would just like to say... euch.

No doubt, as has been pointed out already, any obstacles in the way of money, wherever it comes from, will be surmounted. It's the English Premiership.

monkey9

thebaz wrote: »

with Sunderland being sold to an American billionaire today also, i wonder why no one wants to invest in everton - if only i had some spare dosh

It's only a matter of time, i'm sure!

Guisseppeth

leninbenjamin wrote: »

he's on the board of the group who own City, or something like that. could get messy by the sounds of things.

He was the original front man for the group that bought City and was to be installed as the Chairman, until he started mouthing off about buying Ronaldo, Messi, David Villa etc etc etc in the first season. The new owners dispensed with him after that and are now opting for a more low key approach so he has no involvement with City whatsoever.

I worry about Portsmouth with the fella in charge as there is no doubt he is quite wealthy he is very flash. I didn't like it when he was linked with City and was acting like the typical rich man who thought he could buy what he wanted when he wanted. This guy has been described as being the Arab version of Alan Sugar /Donald Trump and has his own Apprentice style show.

Anyway thats my 2 cents worth.

SWAR

Guisseppeth wrote: »

He was the original front man for the group that bought City and was to be installed as the Chairman, until he started mouthing off about buying Ronaldo, Messi, David Villa etc etc etc in the first season. The new owners dispensed with him after that and are now opting for a more low key approach so he has no involvement with City whatsoever.

I worry about Portsmouth with the fella in charge as there is no doubt he is quite wealthy he is very flash. I didn't like it when he was linked with City and was acting like the typical rich man who thought he could buy what he wanted when he wanted. This guy has been described as being the Arab version of Alan Sugar /Donald Trump and has his own Apprentice style show.

Anyway thats my 2 cents worth.

You are right, he does see himself as a Donal Trump of Abu Dhabi. He is the CEO of a firm called Hydra Properties and has a show on TV over here called The Hydra Executives.

With regard to some of the comments about him being involved with Abu Dhabi United Group, well yes that is the case. What you have to realise is that Abu Dhabi is goverened by about 3 or 4 royal families and they all sit on the board or have some involvement in some shape or form with all the major local firms.

It will be interesting to see how this is viewed as I would say that he is not the only one who sits on the board of both Abu Dhabi United Group and whatever vehicle Dr Fahim uses to purchase Pompey.

Was hoping Liverpool were going to sign Glen Johnson...won't happen if this guy takes over :mad:

Pro. F

I'm not against big money coming into the premiership but it's always worrying for everyone.
Could it be that this fella wants to have his galacticos team like he was talking about at City? If that's all that he's going to want to do then it's not the end of the world.

The authorities are going to have to keep a very close eye on all the carry on that these Emirates crowd might get up to. I'm particularly thinking about the relationships between different teams owned by these lads. Do they follow the rules we would expect when they're competing against each other in other sports/business?

SectionF

Pro. F wrote: »

Do they follow the rules we would expect when they're competing against each other in other sports/business?

I'm sure who's richest wins will still apply generally, so no change there.

mike65

Sven baby!

Eriksson keen on Pompey

Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent has made it clear the Swede is interested in becoming Portsmouth's new manager, but insists it is not merely because of the lucrative Arabian takeover announced by the club this week. It was anticipated Paul Hart would be handed a long-term deal after steering the club clear of relegation during his caretaker spell but that was before property tycoon Sulaiman Al Fahim stepped in on Wednesday.

Pompey are now sure to on teh hunt for a high-profile appointment who is able to attract big-name players, and Eriksson fits the bill, according to Athole Still.

The former Mexico, England and Manchester City manager is ready to return to club football, and the Premier League in particular, he says, after being linked with Pompey in February when Tony Adams left the club.

At that time he was under contract with Mexico, but he was sacked a month later due to a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, with a 3-1 loss to Honduras proving the last straw.

Now out of work, Still said: "He is looking forward to getting back into club management and wants to be back in the Premier League.

"It (Portsmouth) is a club with money and a club that looks like it will have ambition, which is very important to any top manager.

"Of course it would be a club that interests him."

Still added: "Sven was interested before when Portsmouth were looking for a replacement for Tony Adams.

"All that I would say at the moment is he has an interest in coming back to the Premier League, and has an interest in being involved with any club that has genuine ambitions.

"He wants to be back in the game within weeks rather than months, and has offers on the table at home and abroad.

"At this moment in time, there has been no official approach from Portsmouth, though."

Al Fahim is due to complete his takeover in a few weeks following a period of formal financial and legal due diligence.

mayotom

SWAR wrote: »

You are right, he does see himself as a Donal Trump of Abu Dhabi. He is the CEO of a firm called Hydra Properties and has a show on TV over here called The Hydra Executives.

well if he runs the club like he runs Hydra Properties, I'd give him six months to sink the club. do a google search for him or hydra properties,Scam or hydra investors club/group you will then see what pompey are dealing with. For the sake of portsmouth lets just hope that somebody else becomes the chairman and hands on person in charge.

SWAR wrote: »

What you have to realise is that Abu Dhabi is goverened by about 3 or 4 royal families and they all sit on the board or have some involvement in some shape or form with all the major local firms.

incorrect, one family the Al Nahyan family, they control everything, some close friends and family(Al Fahim) get a small part to play, but ultimately all goes back to the Al Nahyan, also note he is CEO for Hydra, the royal family own it.


at the end of the day he has access to the money, a small amount is his but he will be a minority stakeholder in this group the others been of Asian origin hence Al Fahim Aisa Associates.

he is very much like Darragh MacAnthony of the Posh : Screw everybody become rich and then show off by owning a football club....:eek:

SWAR

mayotom wrote: »

well if he runs the club like he runs Hydra Properties, I'd give him six months to sink the club. do a google search for him or hydra properties,Scam or hydra investors club/group you will then see what pompey are dealing with. For the sake of portsmouth lets just hope that somebody else becomes the chairman and hands on person in charge.

incorrect, one family the Al Nahyan family, they control everything, some close friends and family(Al Fahim) get a small part to play, but ultimately all goes back to the Al Nahyan, also note he is CEO for Hydra, the royal family own it.

at the end of the day he has access to the money, a small amount is his but he will be a minority stakeholder in this group the others been of Asian origin hence Al Fahim Aisa Associates.

he is very much like Darragh MacAnthony of the Posh : Screw everybody become rich and then show off by owning a football club....:eek:

I am well aware of Hydra Properties thank you very much, given that I live in Abu Dhabi and work in the property Industry.


The Al Nahyan's are the Royal family but there are certainly other families who have a huge influence in what goes on in Abu Dhabi...and believe me they do have more than a small part to play...it doesn't all ultimately go back to the Al Nahyan family. I won't name them all...I'll let you google them!

Also, didn't I say he was CEO :rolleyes:

Daysha

I've heard they've already announced their new manager.

mayotom

SWAR wrote: »

I am well aware of Hydra Properties thank you very much, given that I live in Abu Dhabi and work in the property Industry.


The Al Nahyan's are the Royal family but there are certainly other families who have a huge influence in what goes on in Abu Dhabi...and believe me they do have more than a small part to play...it doesn't all ultimately go back to the Al Nahyan family. I won't name them all...I'll let you google them!

Also, didn't I say he was CEO :rolleyes:

SWAR: several other posters have indicated that he owns Hydra, not trying to knock your knowledge,
point I did make is that the Al Nahyans are the only Royal Family and yes I agree that there are several families who have a lot of influence ie Al Fahim's al Mansourie and and and...... no need to google, that sort of info is not as easily found as one might think, and ultimately not all goes back to the Al Nahyan's but a large proportion does, and there is no getting around that

SWAR: I also work in Property in Abu Dhabi, which company are you in you can PM me as I have some interesting propositions here, you may also have something of interest to us...

.

mayotom

Well here's the latest update from Dr Al Fahims Friends at Arabian Business,

Al Fahim eyes 50,000 Seater Stadium for Pompey

He also plans to have an Emirati player on the team for next season, not sure about that, but then again I have never even watched a local game here.

Lets hope that his backer's have the cash to do all of this..



:cool:

SWAR

mayotom wrote: »

Well here's the latest update from Dr Al Fahims Friends at Arabian Business,

Al Fahim eyes 50,000 Seater Stadium for Pompey

He also plans to have an Emirati player on the team for next season, not sure about that, but then again I have never even watched a local game here.

Lets hope that his backer's have the cash to do all of this..



:cool:

I sense another reality show....mmmm 'The Hydra Academy'

mayotom

SWAR wrote: »

I sense another reality show....mmmm 'The Hydra Academy'

Set In Hydra Village....

.

therecklessone

Questions being asked about the source of funding for the takeover:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5377375,00.html

Could be an interesting summer.

mayotom

Any here we go again Richards warns Pompey over Thaksin involvement Starting to make sense now, why the take over company is called Al Fahim Aisa Associates and they won't reveal where the money is coming from....


hmmmmmmmm I wonder

mike65

update

DUBAI, June 24 (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi billionaire Sulaiman al-Fahim plans to complete a deal to buy English Premier League club Portsmouth within two weeks, Arabian Business reported on Wednesday.
Al-Fahim will speak to fans at the Portsmouth Football Supporters Club in London on July 11 about his plans for the team, the Dubai-based magazine reported.
Fahim, a board member of the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment which bought Manchester City last year, told Reuters negotiations for Portsmouth were still "in process" and that he hoped to conclude the deal in July.
Soccer, viewed as a high profile and glamorous industry, is being targeted for investment by Gulf Arab firms as Western investors tighten their belts in the global economic slowdown.
The United Arab Emirates is the world's third-largest oil exporter and the capital Abu Dhabi controls 90 percent of the country's oil reserves.
Flush with petrodollars from soaring oil prices, Abu Dhabi has been investing abroad to diversify its economy.

Bounty Hunter

Sulaiman Al Fahim now claims to have taken full control of the club. 6 days left before the transfer window closes, should be interesting to see what happens now even just will they try and stop Distin moving on. Tommy Smith expected to complete his move there today or tommorow

Wreck

SectionF wrote: »

As a sometime admirer of Pompey, I would just like to say... euch.

Considering the other options include the club ceasing to exist, I think a new rich owner is a great outcome for Pompey.

Don't think we'll see many signings before the close of this window, and it's a real possibility Pompey will be in a lot of trouble by the time January comes around.

event

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

Sulaiman Al Fahim now claims to have taken full control of the club. 6 days left before the transfer window closes, should be interesting to see what happens now even just will they try and stop Distin moving on. Tommy Smith expected to complete his move there today or tommorow

big spending pompey indeed

SantryRed

Hope that deal falls through.

Eire-Dearg

Sulaiman Al Fahim has issued a statement announcing his investment group have completed their takeover of Portsmouth Football Club. It had looked like a consortium led by the club’s chief executive Peter Storrie was set to complete a deal for the troubled side. However, Al Fahim – appointed chairman at Fratton Park after passing the Premier League’s “fit and proper person” test – claims he has now formally taken full control.
“Devondale Investments, the current owner of Portsmouth FC, and Al Fahim Asia Associates Ltd. (AAA), a company fully owned by Sulaiman Al Fahim, Chairman of the Board of Portsmouth FC, have reached an agreement whereby AAA has become the new sole owner of the club,” said a statement issued by Al Fahim’s representatives.
“Sulaiman Al Fahim welcomed this agreement and looks forward to helping the club build on its impressive history and achieve new successes in the Premier League.
“The chairman of the club would like to extend his gratitude to the players, staff and the supporters of Portsmouth FC who have shown an extraordinary level of commitment and loyalty to this great club.”
The club were forced into selling a number of their players in the past year, including Glen Johnson, Peter Crouch and Lassana Diarra to balance the accounts, and this has hindered the club’s development. So far this summer Hart has spent no money, the only arrivals to the squad have been free agents and loan deals.
Paul Hart’s side are currently rock bottom of the Premier League, but the late timing of the takeover may destine to club to a relegation battle for the season.

http://backpagefootball.com/info/premier-league/al-fahim-completes-portsmouth-takeover/

JPA

This is all so dodgy.

Fratton Fred

JPA wrote: »

This is all so dodgy.

Why?

it is no more dodgy than the man city take over, or any other club take over, unless of course you believe the lies that come out of the daily mirror.

They started a campaign called pompey gate, trying to make a scandal out of the whole takeover, none of it is available on the web anymore though. it looks to me as though lawyers have spoken and the mirror isn't so keen to push their story anymore.

rednik

With only a couple of days left in the window it is probably too late for Pompeys survival hopes. Of course they could always spend in January.

Smegball

They need at least 5 decent signings now before the window opens, the lack of quality is shocking. The next week or so could define their season, they are in dire need of some numbers and also quality.

At the moment they are my favourites for relegation.

Fratton Fred

Everyone's favourites for relegation I think. There has been so much turmoil at the club this year staying up will be a major achievement.