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Maybe the Russians ARE coming?

The 'rumours' of an interest from Russian investors was something that, if I am honest, I thought was nothing more than just that, rumours...

Although it would 'seem' that there is more to this than meets the eye, so perhaps the Russians are coming?

Investment group Convers Sports Initiatives (CSI), which is a company co-founded by Roman Dubov and Vladimir Antonov, with former Leeds CEO Chris Akers also a part of it, have confirmed an interest in owner a football club, with Pompey an option it would seem.

Akers has issued a statement that confirms an interest: 'Convers Sports Initiatives has always been interested in English football and it is widely known that we have been actively seeking to acquire a suitable club.

'We have held talks with representatives from several clubs, including Portsmouth FC, however we cannot comment any further on the status of any of these negotiations.'

Antonov, when talking to The News, confirmed that they are interested in taking over a football club but did not say which one: 'I would like to stress that if we do acquire control of a football club, we will dedicate our collective knowledge, skills, contacts and appropriate resources to make the chosen football club successful. This will always be our priority.

'Convers Sports Initiatives has a long history and association with various sports around the world.

'This accumulated experience and knowledge will benefit the selected football club, its players, employees and partners involved, but most of all - the club's loyal fans and the community.'

Apparently, having previously denied any such interest from the Russians, David Lampitt has confirmed that talks of some kind have taken place and owners to replace Balram Chainrai, who has angered SOS Pompey by saying those that joined their protest are not fans - not the wisest of things to say, could happen.

Well, what can you say?

All I can say at this time is 'here we go again'...

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Writer: pompeyrug

Date:Tuesday February 8 2011

Time: 5:06PM

Your Comments

been looking into these guys and from what i've seen the 2 Russians could have Mafia ties (although they deny it obviously) which sounds pretty bad but then i looked at Akers and he seems genuine, he was part of the company responsible for Leeds being in the Champions league and was all about slow growth through sustainable investment it was only when he and his partners left Leeds that started to spend stupidly and then crashed, so maybe just maybe CSI are a real option.. who knows but 1 thing i'm sure of is that they will be scrutinized by the Football League etc more than any other owner has before, and that can only be a good thing

pompeym@

10 years of due diligence to come then!!!

moley2

As if we hadn't had enough dramas.....Coming Soon CSI Portsmouth !!!

BarneyArmy

Is it time to start getting excited about nothing again already?

PompeyFrippy

after my punning and rudimentary humour...which thouth was good fun..I have had more serious thought process. I really could not support anything that was funded by either laundring or benfiting from money gained from child abuse and trafficking. I would would struggle with cheering on an over paid forward scoring a great goal at the expence of some dead or half zombified crack head. Organised crime is more real than the entertainment we get from watching James Cagney or Tony Soprano. Its about exploitation and violence fear and intimidation and death. I am not happy, and will not be happy unless a tough Fit and proper persons test is in place

plymouth graham

PlymG you are right about organised crime it is truly nasty, grimey destroys hope. At this time I've not been able to find any stronger link with organised crime than you get associated with Chelski. So maybe let's not judge them just yet. On a lighter note. As for overpaid strikers scoring; chance would be a fine thing.

russellm

Hm... it seems we've been here before haven't we. We all know we need someone to buy the club from Chanrai and take it forward, but we're all scared of another owner who buys the club and drags it down, because, quite frankly, that's all we know in recent times. Of course we're suspicious. I certainly hope it isn't someone who's money comes from the scenarios painted by graham, although I am guilty of having turned a blind eye to the Gaydamaks - I have no idea what they were into, and probably don't want to know. Whilst it appears the case that they are 'in talks' we just have to wait and see what happens now and whether anything actually comes of it.

tracyc

Here it goes the merry go round, again... However, I think this could have some truth to it since Lampitt himself is talking about it. But, it is still too early to take it very seriously. Who the owners are and what backround they have is alo a VERY important issue!

Pompey Malta

So which businesses don't cause damage to someone or somethin? Next time you drive up for a match just remember all those cuddly polar bears you're killing!

thepompeypaul

RE Chanrai's comments about the protesters - its not good if the owner falls out with groups of fans. I can't agree that they're not fans, although they are a misguided bunch of t0$$ers!

tracyc

..........and I thought this article was about the 1966 film lol.

Like m@ I have looked into CSI too and drawn the same conclusions. Keep an open mind for the time being methinks we have had so many false dawns!

eastneydave

I merely wanted to point out that if these guys are Hoods, then we are better off with out them, in the big picture. I do like the idea of investment though.. CSI Miami...CSI New York..CSI..Pompey....i suppose we have enough Skeletons in the cupboard from the last few regimes and not just "Charlie"(older fans need to explain that one/Ray Hiron) ..as long as they do not play the Bloody WHO...Unless its "Won't get fooled again"...ha haha

plymouth graham

Lots of good banter over this & no doubt a hell of lot to follow. From the positive to the cynical. We are a prawn in someones sandwich, heaven help us

storagematt

it would seem that we are, or have, been watched as i have just seen this email that came through to me...

In relation to you recent post. We would like to ask you review comment made by yellowcheesemonkey:
"Dubov is wanted in russia for fraud. ran off to live in israel, is a director of Group Menatep along with Leonid Nevzlin and Mikhail Brudno, who own 60% of the former Yukos empire whose chairman, Mikhail Khorodorkovsky is wanted in russia on various charges including, apparently, an alleged murder."
It is a different person, nor Mr. Roman Dubov. We would like to ask you to remove this post as it misleads and complicate life of many people.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

so, i guess i need to remove that comment - the question is guys WHAT do we want to ask, contact me direct - use the 'envelope' to contact me and i will pass on the questions...

pompeyrug

All we want now is a libel action :-( Who's the email from Rug?

PFCblue

from someone with a coversgroup email addy, so someone connected to CSI i assume...
they recomended that ANYONE wanting to ask anything do so through their facebook page - here.

pompeyrug

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