Arrest warrant issued for Portsmouth owner
Published 22:29 23/11/11 By MirrorFootball
Troubled Portsmouth faced fresh turmoil yesterday after a European arrest warrant was issued for their Russian owner Vladimir Antonov.
The tycoon is one of two key suspects in an alleged fraud and money-laundering case in Lithuania.
Finance chiefs in the former Soviet republic have already seized control of a bank where Antonov is the major shareholder as they probe a £250million shortfall.
Antonov, 36, took control at Fratton Park in August after buying Pompey out of administration through his UK-based investment company Convers Sports Initiative.
His arrival was heralded by fans as a turning point following Pompey’s dramatic fall from FA Cup winners in 2008 to becoming the first Premier League team to be placed into administration with debts of £138m.
Pompey last week insisted the problems surrounding the Snoras bank, where Antonov has a 68% stake, would not impact on the Championship strugglers.
