Published Date:
29 June 2009

By Neil Allen

And the Arab property tycoon has reiterated everything remains on track for a July completion.

Controversy continues to dog Al Fahim's prospective purchase of the Blues from Sacha Gaydamak.

National newspaper reports have tipped the move to grind to a halt in the next few weeks amid concerns over ownership and the Premier League's fair and proper persons test.

Yet Al Fahim insists the deal remains on schedule.

And he revealed he's 'disappointed' in the flood of stories suggesting otherwise.

Al Fahim's spokesman, Ivo Ilic Gabara, said: 'Sulaiman knew the acquisition of a Premier League club would attract significant media attention and was ready to meet that.

'But he is somewhat disappointed in some of the reporting, which has been consistently misleading.

'We have tried to be on the record and brief as many people as possible. We have tried to be helpful by clarifying our position.

'We are doing everything we can to inform the public and, in particular, Portsmouth Football Club supporters. But unfortunately there are still a lot of misleading stories about.

'We are trying to share as much as we possibly can – but it comes to this.

'The offer was made and the memorandum was signed and the next stage was due diligence.

'The process is exactly according to what we anticipated. Both parties are very committed to this and working in a cooperative way.

'The timing has always been for the very beginning of July and we are still looking at that.'

Due diligence is still expected to be completed after the first week in July, with the fit and proper persons test likely to take a week after that.

With the completion date attainable, the club's executive chairman Peter Storrie continues to be on holiday this week.

The possibility of Al Fahim attending the Portsmouth Supporters' Football Club London branch's AGM on Saturday, July 11, is also realistic.

And Gabara has been swift to gun down the doubters.

He added: 'Due diligence is a complex process, it cannot be possibly conducted any quicker.

'We have lawyers and accountants checking out of the finances of the club, the fiscal situation, debts and the situation of every single player. It takes time.

'I think both sides are happy and want it completed as soon as possible.'

'It is very much on track – as anticipated.'