dubai_phil

Hello, Good Evening & Welcome. I lost the coin toss so tonight I am not here in my DP capacity, instead I am here in my "Official text Updater to Ericofarabia and a bunch of ****ed up Brits" capacity Yep, the footie won over Karaoke, DP's award winning Buggles will have to wait for another couple of weeks as EoA's needs obviously come first (well they do if I want a beer off him at my bday party week on Monday COYR's

That's why I'm not making any massive statements on Faraj. The issue of "beneficial owner" is, in the end, what caused the breakdown in the Al Fahim plan. If you think back there was a number of sudden changes of track regarding the location and country he was drawing funds from. As for the Saudi FA link. Sorry but I'll just have to to emphasise that there is nothing wrong in the interpretation or indications as to his contacts into "industry & Royalty" and the reports he has had back. Same will now happen with Faraj, the Beneficial Owner proof. Remember, a long time ago I researched and posted here how to buy a football club with leveraged finance, and found that I could do it very easily. I did talk with people "ITK" on this and the main problem I had is that it would be simple to prove to the FL that I had the money, but unfortunately the way to do that would have meant my ex-wife's divorce lawyers would have hammered me for most of it! In the same way that there was uncertainty at Notts County, the word that causes concern is "Trust Fund" as it then becomes hard to show who is really the owner. And remember, there is a DAMNED good reason why that is important - you simply cannot have one bloke owning two competing clubs in the same country. So he has to answer the questions.

After all the publicity, Polish TV have a reality show called "Mam Talent" ("Got the Talent") There are a number of clips that could help us to understand why Saga isn't quite with it these days. I blame the Zubrowka myself http://mamtalent.plejada.pl/108,9714,3,3_odcinek_mam_talent_ii_-_czesc_pierwsza,3,wideo_detal.html#autoplay I mean really, don't you guys have the internet and what about the SC impersonator. Will be looking out for some more classics

Hey. Look I have a track record at the moment - 100% on Al Fahim all the way through. Ain't gonna mess that up by making a call on Faraj. Remember with Sultan Bin Trump we had the advantage of having done some Due Dilligence previously - (Which IS funny that DP & Jacko seemed able to work the bloke out but Storrie didn't with all his resources and money) My position is the same, they gotta answer questions then I will be on here saying well done or lol'ing In the meantime, my smirking stays in the local pub. This one COULD be true, bloody unlikely, but possibly true, so it has to get the benefit of the doubt

No he would not, but re-read the article, he expressly included the phrase "His Contacts" did not know him. That is a different kettle of fish completely. The way this area works is that a substantial businessman would be known by other businessmen who would be known by "The Elders" shall we say. The Head of the FA will know the Elders or he would never have got his job. He won't have been elected in the way you guys see it. So what he is saying is that nobody who has contacts in the Upper Echelons of Saudi Business or Royalty has ever heard of him. The other point - "Family Trust" that is highly unusual, family wealth maybe but a TRUST? Remember back in the 50's this area was basically desert with some tribes doing deals with oil companies (Read From Sand to Silicon about Dubai) A TRUST fund is way too American or European.... He could well be the son of a political or (worse) Religious exile or deportee who has grown up in UK or US (sort of an Abu Mousa) or a New York Cab Driver. Too many questions still, is he an exile who made money? Is he a very undercover businessman? Is he a front man for a contact with money or is he another middleman.

Oh dear you were doing so well - Stop using your Britness as a comparison... I can assure you that in a society such as "The Middle East" appointments to office such as Football Asociations or Heads of Motor Racing Federations are political appointments. You guys all forget that 50 odd years ago much of the society here was still highly tribal in nature. As a result, as they developed, the REAL wealth was made in descending order downwards through the more prominent families. The closer to the top of the tree or "The Majlis" the more opportunities arose. The "family" wealth in Saudi is more widepsread that other areas as there are literally 100' of Saudi Princess & Princesses. The closest comparison would be between Noveau Rich in England and "Old Money" except that development of old money has happened in a far shorter timeline. So the Head of the FA would know people who know people who know THE people. In fact that is how business works down here at EVERY level. When this guy says he has talked to "his contacts" that means your man is not on the radar of the senior business community. Doesn't stop him being wealthy, but it does raise questions as I've said elsewhere that should be addressed, because otherwise this story will run and run

Okay I'll bite, so who in the CURRENT first choice starting 11 would you replace?

Meanwhile, hot news from the US tonight. Apparently, following the success of Dan Brown's latest book, he is currently in the uK doing research for his follow up Apparently, it again stars Robert Langdon, and the working title is "The Lost Owner" Movie rights discussions are in progress but apparently it will star little known Mark Fialka as Sultan Bin Trump, but they are having real troubles with the role of Al Faraj. According to ESPN they still do not know his actual age so Clint Eastwood, David Hasselhoff Brad Pitt are lined up to star, but it is expected to go to baby #46 born at Southampton General this month as the owners age drops faster than Merlin's

Unless you live in China..... Meanwhile. Love this thread. You Brits, Sex, Politics and Religion ( oh forgot the weather) Takes me back to the days when I first came here - Culture shock #1 We have no politics as there is no vote, just "The Boss" Sex, uh no, that's not allowed, heck even Loaded Mag is full of pages with black marker pens. You aren't allowed to have sex here........ Well not allowed to talk about it at least (view bloke in saudi on Lebanese tv talking about sex on google - 5,000 lashes etc etc And religion - well, there's only one of course Otherwise if you're reading Dan Brown's latest as I have all night you know that's sort of true Back to you lot. Well, Tone had his moments, but while you have Gord, it matters not, ANYONE is better Even Osama....

------Davis------ James--Jaidi--Trottman--Harding -------Wotton-- Hammond------ Waigo--------------------Mills ----------Lallana---------- ---------Lambert--------- I'd prefer Holmes out wide but if he was down to play why wasn't he in the squad on Tuesday. Won't see 4-4-2 IMHO at the start of a game until we get Connolly fit - 3 or 4 weeks I guess Yes Wotton sounded pants on Tuesday but with this formation he allows Hammond to play more so until Mellis is back he's in as Gillett ain't got it at the moment

Think that you can buy meds for that. Don't knock the negs too much though. They've been with us since before the dawn of time (well when Terry Paine was getting stick) Change is a really hard thing for any of us to accept and we've been suckered and scammed for so many years now, it will take time for them to come around. *****il we get shafted again somehow sometime somewhere) The moaners are fine it's the lunatic plain factually wrong ones that cause Jock Itch to start up

What's an election?

So Jamie White goes to a team 2 levels below us and gets slated as having no potential Yet when in the PL we lent players to L1 teams and heck, even Bournemouth, some of them seem to have benefitted from that. The lad has been injured he will not get into our new first team this season unless he plays and excels at a competitive level. Another wise move. # or 4 more to go and they'll be back next year with experience and footballing heads ready to give us a bloody good squad depth for our promotion push

I just think the karma is ALL wrong. You simply CANNOT have a match clashing with Rock Bottom's legendary Karaoke Night which even attracts former Saints Legends - (See Superstar Budgie in Action in Avatar) Such a tough choice, have run out of Magners, and London Pride and only Tsing Tao left (a nice beer on it's own) but not for footie. Really tough to call, bad karma or DP singing bad karma chameleon. Think it will be late fitness test after lunch, on form and stuff we should win this nicely but not easily, just hmmmmmmmmm

Agree, still has to prove himself, Papa is improving game by game and so will Connely I am sure (sweepstake on first poster to start a thread with Connely is rubbsih anyone?) Meanwhile yes, sure seems like they are working to a bloody good plan. Actually I'm almost sure it is an excellent plan, crafted with great care and professionalism with input from many experienced stakeholders, and long may they continue to plan and review and adjust their goals aims and targets as all good professional managers and directors in any walk of life should

The first sentence is a possibility that I have mooted before. I did some research with my golf buddy and there is a magic word Beneficial Owner we all forget with the F&PP test. For example wouldn't go down well to find Munto Finance was owned by Abu Dhabi, and Al Faraj had a loan from Abu Dhabi... (or someone further east). (Oh and NO I do NOT think Abu Dhabi are doing that for a moment it's an example peeps! The second sentence, the forum holds sacrosanct your opinion, but I did try and point out that the MJ part up until the row with Fry may have been more Scott Tracey than Walter Mitty.... But of course that expereince sure helped me spot Sultan Bin Trump very quickly:-)

You guys know me by now, always try and be analytical and never controversial. I have by chance from time to time stumbled on things that no fan should ever have heard or seen and even horrendously got dragged into the centre of the whole admin mess and far too many tales. But when I do pop up with information that has come from my knowledge or contacts I only like to make statements from facts. There ain't no facts about Al Faraj. It is not uncommon, so I cannot comment. What I CAN tell you and have tried, is that there is interest in the Magic Kingdom in acquiring English Football Clubs. I know of at least 5 proposals that have gone that way not including Liverpool and no doubt so have others, so who knows who may pick up a business plan from what office.... But as I only comment on factual stuff, here's a great one http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=683841&sec=england&cc=4716 .......The head of the Saudi Arabia league, Dr Hafez Al Medlej, has said that he has never heard of Portsmouth's new owner, Ali Al Faraj, and claims that takeovers at Manchester City and Pompey could lead to middle-eastern investors targeting another ten English teams......... It is an interesting article. Can I laugh yet? No.................

Well guys. AP says he's doing something about a striker Some moaned and carried on, but ole AP just carried on and got us a proven Striker. How long will it take us to understand this total shift in our lives. The club management say something and then go and do it. Shocking, may it never cease Excellent signing, like the others say he is on a road back and hope he makes it for us, AP & the Med team must have seen something there. Oh and don't expect us to go straight to a rigid 4-4-2 immediately, he'll come in slowly to get match fit again and so that FINALLY gives us better tactical options as well during a game. Well done Pilchards & Weston The Truth is out there... (but nice to know it is found on here from time to time)

Ah, just found my favourite thread. Obviously it has decided to take a breather for a while, all the stress of being at the top of the interest loop takes a toll after a while. It's missed from the main forum, but somehow I really wouldn't be at all surprised if one day it decided to come out of it's semi retirement. Anyway, first officially feedback from one of my experts on all things commercial in Saudi... Who? Not likely to get any updates for at least a week until the movers and shakers come across to Dubai for my Birthday Party oops sorry for The 3rd Largest IT Trade show in the world - Gitex. So Rest well dear thread, you may need to get your strength up

Where did the other thread go? As stated (by me on that and others on here) Saudi Citizens would not employ an Israeli as a Director. Sorry, but that is not going to happen, more chance of Osama Bin Laden becoming President of the US. That press release was NEVER dictated by an Arab National. So either this is a front for someone else, or Mark Jacob is wielding more power than he made out. Who is HE? F&PP is one thing, but, as with Notts County, who is the actual beneficial owner? In theory Abu Dhabi could be in the process of buying all the PL teams under a smoke screen just so that Man City win the League, sorry Skates, but you have a few more days yet, the press won't let this rest until they get some answers, too many sacred cows at the PL could be shown to have mucked up. I hope they have found a solution, but this is as odd as our man Trump playing the game.

Out of interest, when was the last time we had such a one sided MoTM poll? Just under 73% must take some beating, specially for someone who had his own thread about being karp a week ago

You WHAT? Saudi Nationals have appointed an Israeli as DoF!!!! Well that answers the "why" question - they'll never be let back in to Riyadh. Strewth

lol.... no, that really really REALLY cannot be the man.... The head of a telephone banking department within a DEVELOPMENT Bank. No, simply not possible. Unless he was acting for a friend who was acting for a friend who was acting for his cousin who was acting for his friend who was fronting up our old friend Thaksin or similar again. No that simply cannot be true. Has to be the Wrong Trousers. The PL would never get over it Do they offer Sharia Compliant Finance solutions for the purchase of Photo Copiers? no, please no

I actually agree with some of the overall point made by 19C (crikey) We played a "strong" team last night as IMHO I think the side still needs games together to get used to the system we play and also so that AP could look at the "fringe players/squad cover. I also believe that with a settled side and the proper pre-season we shouldn't have HAD to do this and the idea of blooding some of our youngsters versus not progressing (like Arsenal do) might have had some value. In fact Solent said Bournemouth made about 8 changes from their league team (and lost) but how much more benefit will they get from the fact that some of their kids now have proper game time. The tight result showed that our reserves aren't good enough, which was probably more valuable than the result! Could our academy team/reserve team have played last night - hahahaha - lol no way, but that's because they were pushed into the 1st team last year before they were ready. Maybe NEXT year it will work