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What is going on at Fratton Park, demand the fans
Frustrated Pompey fans have called on the club to clear the cloud of confusion engulfing Fratton Park.
On Saturday, Pompey claimed an interview with new owner Ali Al Faraj was fake after he told a London-based Saudi newspaper that he was only interested in staying at Pompey for six months and was not a billionaire.
But the club, which is rooted to the foot of the Premier League table, has since retracted its statement and sources admitted Al Faraj did speak to the newspaper after all.
In a confusing twist, famously shy Al Faraj gave another interview to a national Sunday newspaper, in which he said: 'I didn't buy Portsmouth on a whim.
'My interest in the club has manifested itself over a period of time and I never intended to make a quick investment and get out.'
Fans are also worried about reports that Israeli mogul Levi Kushnir and Balram Chainrai, a Hong Kong-based businessman with a British passport, are set to lend Pompey 15m.
Kushnir, 56, and Chainrai, 51, were in the directors' box at the KC Stadium for Pompey's draw with Hull City on Saturday, along with Ahmed Al Faraj, the brother of Ali Al Faraj.
Kushnir and Chainrai are thought to be part of the original consortium, put together by chief executive Peter Storrie in August, only for former owner Sacha Gaydamak to choose to sell to Sulaiman Al Fahim instead.
Gaydamak's last-minute decision may be explained by the fact Kushnir and Chainrai last month successfully sued his father, Arkadi Gaydamak, for 16.5m.
Fans want answers on all these pressing matters but The News has been unable to contact anyone at the club and no statement has been released.
Nigel Tresidder, chairman of Pompey Supporters' Club, said: 'So many fans are getting fed up and worried about the way the club is going. We need real assurances from the club, for them to set the record straight. Pompey fans need to know what's going on, even if it's bad news. A lot of fans are getting despondent.'
Season ticket-holder Basher Benfield said: 'Fans pay a lot of money into this club. They need to feel like they can trust the board, otherwise people will just walk away.'
Fellow supporter John Cameron said: 'Fans are getting used to feeling this way but we all just need to get behind the team.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
