Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is a ‘close ally of Vladimir Putin’, claims Saif Rubie… as agent tells court it would have been a ‘suicide mission’ to send e- threatening email to former Blues boss Marina Granovskaia
- Saif Rubie is accused of sending a threatening email to Marina Granovskaia
- During his trial, Rubie claimed that Abramovich was a “close ally of Vladimir Putin.”
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Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been described as a “close ally of Vladimir Putin” by football agent Saif Rubie.
In court on Thursday, Rubie was cross-examined by prosecution counsel Mr Arizuna Asante during his trial for allegedly sending a threatening email to former Chelsea manager Marina Granovskaia.
And Rubie told jurors that Abramovich, who was sanctioned by the British government following the Ukrainian invasion, had close ties to Putin, the Russian president, in reference to political problems that had arisen since the start of the conflict.
“He is a close ally of Vladimir Putin, sanctioned by the British government,” Rubie told jurors.
Rubie’s remarks come after he denied intentionally threatening former Chelsea manager Granovskaia, saying it would have been a “suicide mission” given his links to Abramovich.
Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (centre) is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin (right), football agent Saif Rubie has claimed.
Rubie (pictured) made the statement during his trial after being accused of sending a threatening email to former Blues boss Marina Granovskaia.
Rubie told court that threatening Granovskaia (pictured) would have been a ‘suicide mission’ because of her links to Abramovich
During a dramatic Thursday morning in court, in which Rubie was asked to stop being “so confrontational” by Judge David Tomlinson, the intermediary also questioned why Granovskaia had been allowed to remain in the UK while other Russian oligarchs, such as Abramovich, were unable to get him to return to the UK.
“By chance, she (Granovskaia) is the only one who stayed,” Rubie said.
Rubie has pleaded not guilty to threatening Granovskaia with intent to cause distress or anxiety.
The officer called Granovskaia a “liar” several times while responding to Mr. Asante’s questions.
Rubie, 45, estimates he is owed £300,000 from Kurt Zouma’s £29.1million move from Chelsea to West Ham in 2021.
Chelsea’s non-payment is what prompted Rubie to send what he describes as an “angry” but non-threatening email to Granovskaia.
Rubie believes he should receive £300,000 in deal which saw Kurt Zouma (pictured) join West Ham from Chelsea for £29.1m in 2021
Rubie told jurors he worked on the deal with fellow agent Barry Silkman, who testified Thursday.
“It is my understanding that Saif Rubie is entitled to a payment (under the Zouma deal),” Silkman said.
On his relationship with West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady, Silkman said: “I stay away from her to be honest.
In conversation with Judge Tomlinson, Silkman referred to ticket prices at the London Stadium, saying: “Those sitting at the back can’t even see the ground, you need binoculars to look. “
Judge Tomlinson told the jury he planned to send them to consider their verdict before 1 p.m. Friday afternoon.
