Portsmouth FC

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• Founded:1898
• Manager:Steve Cotterill

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Shinawatra denies Pompey link

15 Jun 2009 - 07:49:13

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Former Manchester City owner and Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has dismissed rumours suggesting he is involved in the proposed takeover of Portsmouth.

A weekend report on Saturday said Shinawatra was involved in Sulaiman Al-Fahim's bid for Pompey, a claim the club vehemently denied in a statement on Saturday.

Shinawatra has now added his voice to the denials, saying: "I am not involved with Sulaiman Al-Fahim's bid in any way.

"I have no interest in Portsmouth FC and furthermore I have no plans to become involved in any football club in the future.

"I have been surprised and shocked by the media coverage and my name being linked with the club. There is absolutely no truth in this."

The statement from the club had read: "Portsmouth FC would like to confirm that neither Dr Thaksin Shinawatra nor his advisor Pairoj Piempongsat are involved in funding Dr Sulaiman al Fahim's bid to buy the club.

"A representative for Dr Sulaiman al Fahim met with Premier League officials last week and confirmed that he is the sole purchaser of the football club and this will be verified by his lawyers.

"Pompey executive chairman Peter Storrie met Pairoj Piempongsat during his time at Manchester City some two years ago. Pairoj subsequently introduced Mr Storrie to Dr Sulaiman al Fahim and that is the extent of his involvement in the proposed takeover."