Shakhtar owner threatens to box refs
Reuters - Wednesday 28 October 2009, 14:34
KIEV - Shakhtar Donetsk owner Rinat
Akhmetov has warned Ukrainian referees he could use his old
boxing skills if they do not play fair with the 2009 UEFA Cup
winners.
The threat from one of the richest men in Ukraine came after
another billionaire, Igor Kolomoisky, burst into the referees'
room on Saturday to complain after his fifth-placed Dnipro
Dnipropetrovsk team lost 2-0 at home to leaders Dynamo Kiev.
Local websites said Kolomoisky and his bodyguards were
involved in a scuffle although one referee said the magnate
simply had harsh words for the officials.
On the club's website the league's
second-placed team asked Akhmetov whether he too would have
barged into the referees' room in similar circumstances.
"I think I wouldn't have but let me advise the referees I am
a former professional boxer. Let them keep in mind if I do come,
it will end badly," Akhmetov said.
"I hope it will not come to that. I will try to control my
emotions but if they suddenly drive me up the wall I cannot say
how I will behave, whether I will be quick tempered, whether I
will throw a series (of punches) or not.
"If I do (let loose) it will end badly for them. So let them
be careful, professional and honest," added the oligarch and
Member of Parliament.
Akhmetov, whose business interests cover steel, mining and
banks, is an eastern industrialist worth $1.8 billion according
to Forbes magazine.