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Russian Jew buys into Portsmouth FC

Updated: 03/Jan/2006 16:45

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The Russian-Jewish influence in English football increased yesterday as Alexandre “Sasha” Gaydamak took ownership of half of Premiership side Portsmouth FC.

Gaydamak, the son of billionaire Betar Jerusalem owner Arkadi Gaydamak, completed the surprise move on Monday afternoon.

In an official statement, the club confirmed the rumours which had been circulating throughout the weekend.

“Portsmouth Football Club today confirmed it has reached an agreement in principle with Mr Alexandre Gaydamak over the future shareholding and development of the club,” the statement read.

“Under the new ownership arrangement, the club’s current business and football structure as well as operations will remain unchanged,” it added.

Joint ownership

The club said that the 30 year-old Gaydamak and current chairman Milan Manderic will “work closely together to further develop all aspects of Portsmouth Football Club, Pompey Stadium and the Pompey Village as well as a modern training facility.”

One year ago Leviev was asked by Abramovich why he doesn’t invest in Israeli soccer. Leviev said that he will start to invest in soccer when the matches no longer take place on Shabbat and when Abramovich makes a donation towards Jewish activities abroad

Tal Rabina, Leviev’s press advisor

It is believed that Gaidamak is willing to pump up to 100 million pounds into the club which is currently in 13th position in the 20-team premier league.

Portsmouth has had a massive change around this season with manager Alain Perrin’s sacking early on paving the way for the return of former manager Harry Redknapp from arch-rivals Southampton.

Despite talk of Redknapp’s job being under fire, especially after two losses in the last two league games, the club stressed both the chairman and new owner have confidence in him.

“Contrary to press reports this morning, there is no question of Harry Redknapp’s position as manager of the club being under threat. He will have the full backing of Mr Alexandre Gaydamak and will continue to enjoy the full support of Milan Mandaric.”

In an interview published in Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot on Tuesday morning, Alexandre Gaydamak refuted claims that his father was at all involved in the deal.

“My Dad has no connection with my business with Portsmouth,” said Alexandre. “I have loved football from a young age and for the last seven years I have lived in Israel. I specifically encouraged my father to buy Betar Jerusalem”.

Leviev buys Hapoel Tel Aviv

Gaydamak will join another more famous Russian billionaire, Chelsea ower Roman Abromavich, in the upper echelons of British football.

Abromovich is reported to have had an influence on the decision of another Russian businessman to become involved in football.

In a far more widely predicted move, Orthodox diamond dealer Lev Leviev took control of 75 per cent of Hapoel Tel Aviv football club on Monday.

Leviev, who owns the successful Africa Israel property company, will pay 20 million shekels (3.6m Euros) for a controlling share in the club.

My Dad has no connection with my business with Portsmouth

Alexandre Gaydamak

The decision to buy into Hapoel Tel Aviv was apparently the result of an agreement between Leviev and his friend Abromovich, Leviev’s press advisor Tal Rabina was quoted by the Jerusalem Post as saying.

Rabina said: “One year ago Leviev was asked by Abramovich why he doesn’t invest in Israeli soccer. Leviev said that he will start to invest in soccer when the matches no longer take place on Shabbat and when Abramovich makes a donation towards Jewish activities abroad.

"A few months ago Abramovich reminded Leviev that he had donated a large sum to a Jewish organization in Russia and therefore Leviev is now living up to his part of the deal and investing in Israeli soccer."

The Israeli premier league is apparently planning to do all it can to ensure Hapoel Tel Aviv do not play games on Shabbat in the future.