Kurt Zouma transfer: Football agent denies threat over commission payment

Saif Alrubie arrives at Southwark Crown Court

A football agent implied the threat of physical intimidation in an email to a former Chelsea director, demanding payment over the transfer of Kurt Zouma to West Ham, a court has heard.

Saif Alrubie, 45, is said to have considered he was owed a percentage of the transfer fee and demanded payment from 49-year-old Marina Granovskaia.

The defendant denies sending an electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety.

His email was allegedly sent in 2022.

Mr Alrubie insisted he played a part in facilitating the transfer of the French defender in August 2021 for about £29m.

'Nothing binding'

In an email, the defendant allegedly implied that the then Chelsea director of football might "suffer the fate" of businessman Kia Joorabchian - who claims he was accosted and intimidated by men demanding payment on behalf of Mr Alrubie, the court heard.

Prosecutors allege Mr Alrubie, of Fulham, west London, sent the "threatening" email to Ms Granovskaia on 22 May 2022.

Opening the trial at Southwark Crown Court, prosecutor Arizuna Asante told jurors that Mr Alrubie had "nothing at all to do with the deal" and had "no right to or credible expectation to" benefit from the transfer.

Marina Granovskaia left Chelsea in 2022 after almost 20 years

Mr Asante said: "It is then alleged that Mr Alrubie sent Ms Granovskaia an email threatening her.

"That if the money was not paid - that is his commission - that she might suffer the fate of someone called Kia Joorabchian who owed him money and did not pay in time.

"He [Mr Joorabchian] was allegedly accosted in a restaurant, an expensive watch taken from him, and thereafter in his office confronted by about a dozen men all at one time effectively intimidating him into handing over bundles of cash in intervals until the money that was owed was paid off."

Jurors heard Mr Joorabchian was confronted by people allegedly acting for Mr Alrubie.

The prosecutor said Ms Granovskaia previously told Mr Alrubie that if Mr Zouma sold for more than €30m (£26m) he would get a commission, but the prosecution told jurors there was "nothing binding" about those exchanges because it was "pre contract".

When the sale occurred a "deal sheet" was created, on which the defendant was not identified as an intermediary, and which contained a declaration signed by Mr Zouma, the jury heard.

The court heard the transfer occurred and Mr Alrubie was not given payment.

The trial continues.

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