New beginnings - 25% Truth, 80% Bollocks

[Audrey]

Maybe. But our bit in this story is tiny.

[Mooneyraker]

Maybe. But our bit in this story is tiny.

For sure. But I can imagine Michael Standing hearing on the grapevine that a journo is investigating dodgy payments by Abramovich and thinking it would be a good opportunity to stir the pot.

[Nemo]

If there was supposed not to be any paper trail, how has this all come out?

A leak of financial records in Cyprus, access to which records was shared by the ICIJ, the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and Paper Trail Media with the Guardian and other media outlets.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/15/chelsea-fc-face-new-questions-over-how-roman-abramovich-funded-success

So it's not so much "no paper trail" as "a convoluted paper trail through various associated companies, individuals and er... lower regulation countries"

I think it's highly unlikely that Standing is anything other than an interested bystander here, we're a tiny footnote in this story.

[Mooneyraker]

A leak of financial records in Cyprus, access to which records was shared by the ICIJ, the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and Paper Trail Media with the Guardian and other media outlets.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/15/chelsea-fc-face-new-questions-over-how-roman-abramovich-funded-success

So it's not so much "no paper trail" as "a convoluted paper trail through various associated companies, individuals and er... lower regulation countries"

I think it's highly unlikely that Standing is anything other than an interested bystander here, we're a tiny footnote in this story.

Fair enough. Panama Papers type effort.

[Bob's Orange]

Given Powers Domicile status in Switzerland at the time, I'd wager it is not an insignificant fact.  Maybe getting a few quid himself to oil other deals/discussions away from prying eyes.  Now for someone to find the Russian links.

Hepburn-Murphy?

[Berniman]

The real villain here:

Raymond Reddington?

[Mooneyraker]

Not Russian per se but who was Power-era non-exec Veljko Jovanovic? I think he was Montenegrin.

Came on board with The Matchday Guest and Roger Terrell.

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/13585526.town-appoint-three-new-non-executive-directors/

[Audrey]

Had an accounting services company. Dissolved in 2017.

Could be handy for money shuffling.

[Mooneyraker]

He's also an online ghost.

[Frigby Daser]

So sad that a football club can become a vehicle for some rotten characters to make money through questionable means, whilst thousands of well-meaning supporters pour money in, desperate for success, but helplessly at the mercy of those undesirables. Fuck off Zavier Austin, fuck off Power and fuck off Morfuni. Transparency!

[RobertT]

Jovanovic was/is a fellow Horse Racing owner, and given the timing was likely something to do with the Highworth angle.  Them all coming at the same time suggested a group who knew each other, no doubt they have links and tentacles!

[Audrey]

Does Power still own the Highworth site or did he never actually purchase it.

[tans]

He owns it i think.

[RobertT]

So sad that a football club can become a vehicle for some rotten characters to make money through questionable means, whilst thousands of well-meaning supporters pour money in, desperate for success, but helplessly at the mercy of those undesirables. Fuck off Zavier Austin, fuck off Power and fuck off Morfuni. Transparency!

It just goes to show that the headline at the front is never the way any of these chancers make their money to live off.  Not even their money, they just hive a bit off during the process.

[Audrey]

.