Portsmouth Reject Takeover Doubts

Premier League club Portsmouth has refuted rumours that Sulaiman Al Fahim’s takeover of the club is in doubt.

The United Arab Emirates businessman passed the Premier League ‘fit and proper person’ test in July but the ownership deal has yet to go through.

‘He remains committed to completing the acquisition of Portsmouth FC as soon as possible,’ read a club statement.

In May, Portsmouth’s owner Alexandre Gaydamak accepted an unspecified bid from Al Fahim to buy the club.

Al Fahim was the initial figurehead of the Abu Dhabi United Group when they took control of Manchester City last year but is now acting for himself.

However, the deal has yet to be fully completed while players have been sold – striker Peter Crouch to Tottenham for £10m and defender Glen Johnson to Liverpool for £17.5m.

The club statement read: ‘During this transitional phase the priority is to keep Portsmouth Football Club operating.

‘While it is our intention to add strength to the existing squad we cannot rule out the possibility of having to sell more players should the takeover not happen.

‘However, we are assured that Sulaiman al Fahim is committed to buying the club and investing in all areas, including the playing personnel.

‘Everyone at the club shares the frustration of supporters. We know only too well that we need to add to the first-team squad but at this moment in time there is a limited amount we can do until the takeover is completed.’