Usmanov increases stake
FA decide not to intervene
FK Zeta fined by Uefa
Celtic name new chairman
Forssell out for a month
Saints sign Ifil
Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has increased his stake in Arsenal, through his investment company Red and White Holdings Limited, to 23%. RAWHL is now the second-largest shareholder behind Arsenal director Danny Fiszman, who owns 24.11%. It also emerged that the North London club have held a meeting with the investment company that now owns nearly a quarter of the club’s shares. A club statement read:
“The board of Arsenal Holdings wish to confirm that a constructive meeting took place between Peter Hill-Wood, Keith Edelman and Farhad Moshiri of Red and White Holdings Limited. Board members of Arsenal Football Club wish to reiterate their intention of retaining their shareholding in the club and have no intention of selling any shares. The board believe that the continued success of the club can best be achieved by the company remaining independent.”
The Football Association has informed Leeds United they will not intervene over the Football League’s decision to dock them 15 points for a breach of insolvency rules. The Elland Road club’s chief executive Shaun Harvey said:
“We are amazed the FA do not feel it is appropriate to intervene in a matter which we believe is wrong. We will fully reflect on this surprising decision and are taking the advice of our legal team.”
FK Zeta have been fined £9,000 by Uefa after Rangers pair DaMarcus Beasley and Jean-Claude Darcheville were subjected to racist taunts from their fans during last month’s Champions League qualifier in Montenegro. Home fans also threw bottles on to the pitch and Rangers substitute Charlie Adam was struck by a lighter. A Uefa spokesman said:
“The charges against Zeta related to racist chanting and the throwing of missiles. They were fined 30,000 Swiss francs and 20,000 of that has to be paid immediately. The other 10,000 will have to be paid should their fans be guilty of the same behaviour in the next two years.”
Celtic have announced that former home secretary John Reid is set to take over from Brian Quinn as chairman of the Bhoys at the club’s AGM on 19 November.
Birmingham City striker Mikael Forssell will be out of action for a month after being told that he needs surgery to cure a hernia problem.
Southampton have signed Tottenham full-back Phil Ifil on loan for an initial three-month spell.
Nathan Davies
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