Israeli Premier League Beitar Jerusalem's future is "shrouded in doubt as the new season edges ever closer," according to Allon Sinai of the JERUSALEM POST. Just last week, representatives of Owner Arkadi Gaydamak announced that "they had reached an agreement with Eli Tabib to purchase the club" after months of negotiations and misinformation. Tamarlan Majidof, who resides in Chechnya, but has Israeli citizenship, "is believed to be the front man for a mysterious group of financiers." A statement by Gaydamak said, "There is a group of very rich Russian businessmen who want to invest in Beitar. Majidof will head the group which will invest at least $5 million in the club. It would be irresponsible of me to transfer the club to Eli Tabib. Majidof will purchase at least a 50 percent stake and will add more investors that will turn Beitar into a strong team.” Meanwhile, Tabib announced on Tuesday that "he had signed a deal with an organization of Beitar fans that will allow him to seize full control of the club." The supporters transferred the cash-stricken club NIS 2.1M ($580,000) they had collected from thousands of fans last summer. In return, they "were given seats on the club’s directorate as well as an option to purchase full control of the franchise" (JERUSALEM POST, 6/6).
