The Wikipedia entry ^[1] for Milan Mandarić rather cheekily describes him as a “Serbian-American crook” in its first paragraph and before I denounce such scurrilousness, I should point out that he has been charged ^[2], but not convicted of being a little cavalier in his attitude towards National Insurance.

Events of the past fortnight have emphasized the former Connecticut Bicentennials owner’s position as this league’s most prominent svengali.

At Leicester, we have the arrival of Sven. Vichai and Aiyawatt Rakriaksorn may now be in charge but the 72 year old has stayed on as Chairman as a prominent shareholder in the consortium. Without question, this is a tawdry, vulgar move - Sven’s CV has become severely compromised since that night in Munich and the man who took just three stikers to a World Cup, was viewed as no more efficient than a lookalike in Mexico ^[3] and helped acutely embarrass a proud club in Notts County. I haven’t even mentioned the money.

Then there is Pompey: quite inexpicably fielding Ricardo Rocha, Kanu and more top level wage earners than Enron circa the Year 2000. Again, Mr. Mandarić left in 2006 but he set the tone for the maelstrom of irresponsibility surrounding that club - do they have no dignity? “Pay Up Pompey” indeed.