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Islington Tribune - by TOM FOOT
Published: 2 May 2008

Alisher Usmanov

MP’s pledge to save Gunners from Russians

JEREMY Corbyn MP has pledged to step up his campaign against a rumoured takeover of Arsenal after the club’s managing director quit on Wednesday.
Keith Edelman has stepped down as managing director after eight years “to seek pastures new and embark upon fresh challenges”. He has been a fierce opponent of foreign ownership amid ongoing rumours that Red and White Holdings Limited, owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, may be preparing a hostile takeover.
Mr Corbyn, Labour MP for Islington North, covering the stadium, told the Tribune: “Edelman was strongly against foreign ownership at Arsenal and will be missed.
“I have asked for records of Usmanov’s human rights record in Uzbekistan be made public.
“I want to keep watching the situation to make sure that Arsenal is safe for the fans.”
In a written question to the secretary of state for Europe in October, Mr Corbyn called for all British embassy reports relating to Mr Usmanov’s human rights record be revealed. Mr Corbyn insisted Mr Usmanov’s purchase of 23 per cent of the club meant the information was in the public interest.
Mr Corbyn said: “Many people hugely appreciate the football club and look to it and its players as role models and that is why I believe the public needs, and is entitled to know, the character of the person who has bought such a large stake in the club.”
Red and White Holdings Limited, which is jointly owned by Mr Usmanov and Farhad Moshiri, has upped its stake in the club to 24 per cent and is now the largest shareholder.
Mr Edelman played a key role in the move from Highbury to the Emirates stadium.
Mr Corbyn said Mr Edelman was also a key player in the controversial decision not to open a sports centre as part of a regeneration deal when the new stadium was built.
Mr Corbyn added: “Arsenal are now saying they will just do up the Sobell Centre. It actually means we will have fewer sports facilities than before the new stadium was built.
“I am determined that any new development contains a new sports centre.”
In a statement released by the club, Mr Edelman said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Arsenal. It has been a very exciting period for the business and I am proud to have contributed to the club’s many off-field achievements over the past eight years, not least the Emirates stadium project.”
Director Ken Friar assumes the position of acting managing director.

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