*Football, Finance, Front Companies & Exotic Benefactors*
1/
I saw a story this week about @DerbyCounty_TT & their looming takeover - Sounds exciting!
Something really piqued my interest though
A couple of names in the report that I've seen before
#Offshore 🕵️♂️⚽️💸🌴
1/
I saw a story this week about @DerbyCounty_TT & their looming takeover - Sounds exciting!
Something really piqued my interest though
A couple of names in the report that I've seen before
#Offshore 🕵️♂️⚽️💸🌴
2/
The two 'Shadow Brokers' who get fleeting mentions over the last 15 years as the cast of foreign ownership in English football has become increasingly... 'cosmopolitan' are;
*Chris Samuelson* & *Andrew Obolensky*
Who are they?
What do they do??
Why should we care???
The two 'Shadow Brokers' who get fleeting mentions over the last 15 years as the cast of foreign ownership in English football has become increasingly... 'cosmopolitan' are;
*Chris Samuelson* & *Andrew Obolensky*
Who are they?
What do they do??
Why should we care???
3/
Well, they've appeared in a few books I've read over the years, so I did some searches to try and understand more & connect the dots.
In a nutshell, they seem to be;
*FORMATION AGENTS*
*INNOVATIVE FINANCE PROFESIONALS*
*NETWORKERS/CONNECTORS*
#ShellCompanies #Offshore
Well, they've appeared in a few books I've read over the years, so I did some searches to try and understand more & connect the dots.
In a nutshell, they seem to be;
*FORMATION AGENTS*
*INNOVATIVE FINANCE PROFESIONALS*
*NETWORKERS/CONNECTORS*
#ShellCompanies #Offshore
4/
Some of the stories I've read & meta-narratives they seem to be connected to are worthy of their own book!!
Definitely the kind of stuff @tomburgis @MishaGlenny @OliverBullough ✍️ about...
We've got; Oligarchs / Politicians / Geopolitics / Fraudsters / Footy Clubs / Murder!!
Some of the stories I've read & meta-narratives they seem to be connected to are worthy of their own book!!
Definitely the kind of stuff @tomburgis @MishaGlenny @OliverBullough ✍️ about...
We've got; Oligarchs / Politicians / Geopolitics / Fraudsters / Footy Clubs / Murder!!
5/
So, quick circle back 🔁
I'm a football fan (#Everton) & these guys have been directly involved with introducing some 'dubious' owners to English football;
- Everton (2004/ Near miss)
- Reading (2012/ Zingarevich)
- Aston Villa (2016/ Tony Xia)
- Real Mallorca
- Derby County?
So, quick circle back 🔁
I'm a football fan (#Everton) & these guys have been directly involved with introducing some 'dubious' owners to English football;
- Everton (2004/ Near miss)
- Reading (2012/ Zingarevich)
- Aston Villa (2016/ Tony Xia)
- Real Mallorca
- Derby County?
6/
For a re-cap on how those acquisitions played out from fan perspectives, have a quick read of the link below.
Also, the pictures ⬇️🧐
We only have to turn on the news today to realise that 'Funny Money' & 'Nefarious actors' are changing our 🌍
getreading.co.uk/sport/football…
For a re-cap on how those acquisitions played out from fan perspectives, have a quick read of the link below.
Also, the pictures ⬇️🧐
We only have to turn on the news today to realise that 'Funny Money' & 'Nefarious actors' are changing our 🌍
getreading.co.uk/sport/football…
7/
From what I can gather, these guys have plugged into a changing world from the mid 80's onwards
End of the cold war, creation of new states in Eastern Europe (some Kleptocratic), increase in economic power of Asia & ME.
Beneficiaries want Safe Heavens 🌴💰🇬🇧⚽️
#CapitalFlight
From what I can gather, these guys have plugged into a changing world from the mid 80's onwards
End of the cold war, creation of new states in Eastern Europe (some Kleptocratic), increase in economic power of Asia & ME.
Beneficiaries want Safe Heavens 🌴💰🇬🇧⚽️
#CapitalFlight
8/
Rule of law - Property rights & the prestige of a London Listing or trophy football club are big draws for the newly minted!
But how do they arrive in the 🇬🇧?
With the help of our Innovative Formation Agents!
Creation of complex offshore corporate structures to obscure💰
Rule of law - Property rights & the prestige of a London Listing or trophy football club are big draws for the newly minted!
But how do they arrive in the 🇬🇧?
With the help of our Innovative Formation Agents!
Creation of complex offshore corporate structures to obscure💰
9/
So, I promised some *interesting* background on these 'introducers'.
Here goes;
- Richest man in Russia was Khodorkovsky.
He had one of the first private banks in Russia 'Menetap'.
Who was his 🌍 banking mentor(s)?
You guessed it 😉
Good read🧐⬇️
oldtmt.vedomosti.ru/sitemap/free/2…
So, I promised some *interesting* background on these 'introducers'.
Here goes;
- Richest man in Russia was Khodorkovsky.
He had one of the first private banks in Russia 'Menetap'.
Who was his 🌍 banking mentor(s)?
You guessed it 😉
Good read🧐⬇️
oldtmt.vedomosti.ru/sitemap/free/2…
10/
Mr Samuelson and his partner (Mr Michel) passed on their considerable knowledge and expertise to the young Oligarch and taught him the fundamentals of banking and the utility of #offshore finance 🌴💰
This ties to a string of high profile stories, all inter-linked 🤯
#Hot 💸
Mr Samuelson and his partner (Mr Michel) passed on their considerable knowledge and expertise to the young Oligarch and taught him the fundamentals of banking and the utility of #offshore finance 🌴💰
This ties to a string of high profile stories, all inter-linked 🤯
#Hot 💸
11/
The main vehicles for our 'footy interlopers' seem to have been;
- Valmet
- Mutual Trust
- Finsbury Trust
- Socfin
And 1000's of variations on those names 💸
Key players
- Chris Samuelson
- Peter Bond
- Christian Michel
- Stephen Curtis 🤯
🕵️♂️🕵️♂️
The main vehicles for our 'footy interlopers' seem to have been;
- Valmet
- Mutual Trust
- Finsbury Trust
- Socfin
And 1000's of variations on those names 💸
Key players
- Chris Samuelson
- Peter Bond
- Christian Michel
- Stephen Curtis 🤯
🕵️♂️🕵️♂️
12/
You see, Isle Of Man based partner of Chris Samuelson apparently worked fairly closely with Stephen Curtis
Mr Bond & Stephen used their expertise on behalf of Kodhokovsky & Boris Berosovsky (&more)
Help with transit of their 💰 & manage their corporate vehicles
However!⬇️
You see, Isle Of Man based partner of Chris Samuelson apparently worked fairly closely with Stephen Curtis
Mr Bond & Stephen used their expertise on behalf of Kodhokovsky & Boris Berosovsky (&more)
Help with transit of their 💰 & manage their corporate vehicles
However!⬇️
13/
One of the poor chaps who is in the deceased list (Badri Patratkashvili) was also involved with our 'footy finance whizzs'!
He died a suspicious death after commercial, political, geopolitical & business stresses.
He left c£9billion!
#MutualTrust
schlamstone.com/wp-content/upl…
One of the poor chaps who is in the deceased list (Badri Patratkashvili) was also involved with our 'footy finance whizzs'!
He died a suspicious death after commercial, political, geopolitical & business stresses.
He left c£9billion!
#MutualTrust
schlamstone.com/wp-content/upl…
14/
At this point, I could go on with tonnes of links HOWEVER my main point is about how dodgy Football Owners arrive on our shores & the vehicles/people that can assist them.
I'm sure Mr Samuelson & Mr Obolensky are super smart & great at what they do
Due Diligence maybe!🤷♂️
At this point, I could go on with tonnes of links HOWEVER my main point is about how dodgy Football Owners arrive on our shores & the vehicles/people that can assist them.
I'm sure Mr Samuelson & Mr Obolensky are super smart & great at what they do
Due Diligence maybe!🤷♂️
15/
OK, some more *interesting* links
Ever been to Montenegro? It's beautiful!
Suffers from some of the administration issues that affect other countries from the former soviet block tho
Stories below;
From what I can gather, Mr Obolensky was CEO at First Bank for time 🧐⬇️
OK, some more *interesting* links
Ever been to Montenegro? It's beautiful!
Suffers from some of the administration issues that affect other countries from the former soviet block tho
Stories below;
From what I can gather, Mr Obolensky was CEO at First Bank for time 🧐⬇️
16/
And finally, their commercial vehicle for football deals - 'Socfin'.
It seems like a 'family office' type operation where Mr Samuelson has been hired within a sprawling old colonial style mining/natural resources conglomerate
Big 💰
⬇️c/oVillaLeaks
socfin.com/en/key-dates
And finally, their commercial vehicle for football deals - 'Socfin'.
It seems like a 'family office' type operation where Mr Samuelson has been hired within a sprawling old colonial style mining/natural resources conglomerate
Big 💰
⬇️c/oVillaLeaks
socfin.com/en/key-dates
17/
These are just articles taken from books & the web...
I'm pretty sure if @premierleague & @EFL did some basic due diligence like this, they may ask a few more questions when exotic potential owners turn up out of nowhere!!💸⚽️
Please, no more shysters ruining clubs!
#EFL
These are just articles taken from books & the web...
I'm pretty sure if @premierleague & @EFL did some basic due diligence like this, they may ask a few more questions when exotic potential owners turn up out of nowhere!!💸⚽️
Please, no more shysters ruining clubs!
#EFL
18/
And although the nature of Mr Samuelsons & Mr Obolensky's industry skirts multiple jurisdictions and by it's nature is clandestine... I'm sure they are fine professionals.
However, if they need a researcher to help them make better decisions, I'm available & accept 💸🌴😉⚽️
And although the nature of Mr Samuelsons & Mr Obolensky's industry skirts multiple jurisdictions and by it's nature is clandestine... I'm sure they are fine professionals.
However, if they need a researcher to help them make better decisions, I'm available & accept 💸🌴😉⚽️
@KieranMaguire If you're looking at Derventio Holdings/ Derby takeover, I just did a little download (thread) on a couple of the characters mooted within that group & their associations.
The Libertarian kings of cash in offshore paradises 💸
The Libertarian kings of cash in offshore paradises 💸
Core to these guys principles seem to be a strong 'Libertarian doctrine'.
They despise the "inefficiencies of the nation-state & hope the information revolution, using offshore commerce, encryption & digital cash triumphs" #Hayek
OK - But don't let greed Trump sound judgement!
They despise the "inefficiencies of the nation-state & hope the information revolution, using offshore commerce, encryption & digital cash triumphs" #Hayek
OK - But don't let greed Trump sound judgement!
Forgot to mention (one of the many avenues you can explore)!
Boris & Badri (mentioned above) used these offshore networks to get a foothold in football too 👀⚽️
#WestHam #Corinthians #Tevez #Mascherano
Which formation agent/finance pro set up this? ⬇️
theguardian.com/uk/2006/sep/14…
Boris & Badri (mentioned above) used these offshore networks to get a foothold in football too 👀⚽️
#WestHam #Corinthians #Tevez #Mascherano
Which formation agent/finance pro set up this? ⬇️
theguardian.com/uk/2006/sep/14…
Hi Ryan @RJConway92 & Matt @mjshrimper
Great reporting.
I put together a little thread on Saturday after reading about the proposed derby takeover.
Might be some titbit's of interest in there...
I've added a few things since.
(Quite frankly, you could write a 📕 on this) 😉⚽️
Great reporting.
I put together a little thread on Saturday after reading about the proposed derby takeover.
Might be some titbit's of interest in there...
I've added a few things since.
(Quite frankly, you could write a 📕 on this) 😉⚽️
@threadreaderapp Unroll please...
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