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Russian businessman takes control of Chelsea

LONDON (AP) -- Longtime Chelsea owner Ken Bates has sold his controlling stake in the club to Russian businessman Roman Abramovich.

Abramovich, who is a major shareholder in the Russian oil company Sibneft, on Tuesday arranged to buy 84,908,506 Chelsea Village Shares -- some 50 million of which are owned by Bates -- representing approximately 50.09 percent of the entire issued share capital of the company, which is parent company of the Premier League club.

The total cost of purchasing the shares will cost the 36-year-old Abramovich 29.6 million pounds (US$49.73 million) and the development ends Bates' 21-year spell as Chelsea chairman.

The move also comes with Chelsea, which is reportedly some 80 million pounds (US$134.4 million) in debt, prepares for a lucrative return to the Champions League having finished third in the Premier League last season.

"We are delighted to agree this deal to acquire what is already one of the top clubs in Europe," Abramovich said.

"We have the resources and ambition to achieve even more given the huge potential of this great club."

Abramovich received a legal degree from Moscow State Law Academy before working for Sibneft, the fifth largest Russian oil producer, and was elected to the board of directors in 1996, a position he held until 2000.

In 1999, he was elected to the lower house of the Russian parliament.

Bates, who has masterminded the growth of Chelsea from underachievers to a club that has a hotel, shops and restaurants on its complex in west London, said he was happy with the move.

"This is a great deal for Chelsea Village, the club and our fans," said the extrovert millionaire who bought the club for a nominal one pound (US$1.68) but inherited its debts.

"We have achieved an enormous amount over the past 21 years building a fantastic new stadium and a talented team which is firmly established as one of the top clubs in Europe.

"In today's highly competitive football market, the club will benefit from a new owner with deeper pockets to move Chelsea to the next level.

"I look forward to working with Roman Abramovich to achieve even greater things."

Banks demands government probe of Chelsea sale

Abramovich agreed with Chelsea chairman Ken Bates on Tuesday to buy more than half the shares of Chelsea Village in a deal which values the company at nearly 60 million pounds ($99.50 million).

But Chelsea supporter Banks told the BBC: "I want to know whether this individual is a fit and proper person to be taking over a club like Chelsea. Until that question is answered, then I'm afraid the jury is out.

"I would have preferred that the takeover of Chelsea had been done after these questions were answered. A sale has been arranged to an individual we know nothing about.

"Ken [Bates] has not let us down in the past but I'm going to ask some very serious questions to (Sports Minister) Richard Caborn," said Banks.

Under the cash offer, the 36-year-old Abramovich, through his English offer vehicle Chelsea Ltd, has already agreed to purchase 84.9 million Chelsea Village shares at 35 pence each, just over half of its entire issued share capital.

"We are delighted to agree this deal to acquire what is already one of the top clubs in Europe," Abramovich said in a statement. "We have the resources and ambition to achieve even more given the huge potential of this great club."

"This is a great deal for Chelsea Village, the club and its fans," Bates said in a statement.

Abramovich, a major shareholder in Russian oil company Sibneft, has a law degree from the Moscow State Law Academy and was elected to the lower house of the Russian parliament in 1999, according to the offer document.

Losses at Chelsea almost trebled in the first six months of the financial year to the end of December 2002 due to high player costs and a "moribund" transfer market.

Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League last season to qualify for the Champions League.

De Lucas leaves Chelsea for Alaves

"Alaves and Enrique had agreed a pre-contract deal last summer following his departure from Espanyol, and this allowed him to play abroad for one season," according to Chelsea's official Web site.

Former Spanish under-21 international De Lucas, 24, made 31 appearances for Chelsea, 10 as a substitute, and scored one goal.

Alaves, beaten 5-4 by Liverpool in the 2001 UEFA Cup final, were relegated from the Spanish first division at the end of last season.

PSG wants United to clarify Ronaldinho interest

PARIS (Reuters) -- Paris St Germain president Francis Graille says he will speak to Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon on Wednesday to clarify the English champions' interest in Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho.

"We are scheduled to call each other in the morning to make an appointment," Graille told Reuters on Tuesday.

"I wish to meet him to clarify the situation because, for the time being, the player's brother is the only one to mention Manchester United."

Ronaldinho's brother Roberto Assis is also the player's agent.

Reports of interest in Ronaldinho from Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona have circulated in recent weeks but Graille has always denied serious contacts while new PSG coach Vahid Halilhodzic says he wants to keep the player.

"I'm not open to any proposal, we're going to see what sort of an offer it really is," Graille said.

"I'm not too happy to see figures splashed all over the press because for the time being I have received no offer whatsoever.

"Unlike what is being said, PSG don't need money," he added.

Man Utd signs Sunderland striker Bellion

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -- Manchester United have signed French striker David Bellion on a free transfer from Sunderland, the Premier League champions announced on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old spent two seasons at Sunderland after signing on a free transfer from Cannes in July 2001 but struggled to earn a regular first-team place and scored only one goal for the club, who were relegated last season.

Bellion's contract at Sunderland expired on Monday and he has signed a four-year-deal with United.

"I am really excited to be joining Manchester United," he told the club's Web site.

"When you are young they are one of the clubs you dream of playing for. I am ready to work hard and give 100 percent to United, and I'm already focused on the new season ahead," added the Paris-born player.

United manager Alex Ferguson, said: "It has been a long process to complete this deal.

"We did not know whether David would go abroad or come to us, and we are delighted he has chosen Manchester United.

"He is a young player with great potential who will fit into the club's future plans very well."

Blues agree transfer fee with Blackburn over Dunn

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -- Birmingham City has agreed a transfer fee with Blackburn Rovers for England international midfielder David Dunn, who has fallen out with Rovers manager Graeme Souness.

The fee is thought to be in the region of 5 million pounds (US$8.4 million) and the player, who has played once for England, will now discuss personal terms with the Blues.

Birmingham tried to sign the player near the end of last season but Rovers were unhappy with the amount offered.

Dunn has scored 30 goals in 135 appearances for Blackburn but came under fire from Souness over his laid back lifestyle and also playing on when he was clearly injured.

Bowyer completes signing for Newcastle

NEWCASTLE, England (AP) -- England midfielder Lee Bowyer on Tuesday completed his move to Newcastle on a four-year deal.

The former Charlton, Leeds and West Ham star, who was out of contract, passed a medical on Monday and signed forms at St. James Park.

A talented but volatile attacking midfielder who has been in trouble on and off the field, Bowyer will add some bite to Bobby Robson's team which finished third in the Premier League last season and will play in the Champions Cup next term.

But Bowyer will be missing when the Magpies play their first six European matches.

He has one of the worst disciplinary records in the English game, banned and fined by the Football Association for elbowing an opponent, suspended by UEFA for stamping on a player's head and also by the FA for collecting 14 yellow cards in one season.

The UEFA ban is still in force and he will miss Newcastle's next six matches in European competition.

Off the field, he was ordered to undergo rehabilitation in 1995 after an FA instigated drugs test showed traces of marijuana in his blood. A year later he was fined 4,500 pounds (US$7,560) for fighting in a fast-food restaurant in London and, in January 2000, he was charged with causing grievous harm to a teenage Asian student in a street fight in Leeds.

Jonathan Woodgate, who now is his Newcastle colleague, faced a similar charge and, although both were cleared after a retrial, Woodgate was found guilty of fighting and sentenced to 120 hours community service.

Bowyer has played once for England but has since lost his place.

Bellamy faces racism charges over nightclub incident

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) -- Welsh international striker Craig Bellamy has been charged with three racism offenses relating to an incident at a nightclub, a court heard on Tuesday.

Although the Newcastle forward was excused an appearance in court, the charges were read out before Cardiff magistrates.

Bellamy faces one charge of using words or behavior likely to cause racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress. He also faces two charges of racially aggravated intentional harassment.

All three offenses are alleged to have taken place on March 24 in Cardiff when Bellamy was involved in an argument with a nightclub bouncer.

The case was adjourned until July 10 when the player is due to be present.

When Bellamy was told for the first time that he might be charged, his lawyer, Graham Shear, said the player "firmly and categorically" denied making any racist comments.

UEFA chief warns England over hooligan fans

LONDON (AP) -- England's racist hooligans could get the team kicked out of the World Cup as well as next year's European Championship, UEFA president Lennart Johansson warned on Tuesday.

After violence and racist chanting marred Euro2004 qualifying games, UEFA warned that further trouble might lead to England being banned from the championship in Portugal June 12-July 4.

Johansson told the Daily Telegraph that threat could spread to the 2006 World Cup too.

England is due to travel to Istanbul in the final round of qualifying Oct. 11 and, although the Football Association has turned down its ticket allocation in a move to prevent trouble, it can't stop fans traveling without tickets.

"We are very worried about the match," Johansson said.

"We can't ignore certain facts. We have a problem with certain England fans when they travel abroad. There is a hooligan element and we have a hooligan element in Turkey.

"Both sides are working very hard. We hope nothing will happen, but if there are problems then the matter will be discussed at the organizing committee of the World Cup and of course for 2004," Johansson told the Telegraph.

"Participation in all the international competitions will have to be reconsidered. Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

 

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