- The executive left the club after the acquisition in 2022 by the consortium led by Todd Boehly
Former Chelsea manager Marina Granovskaia arrived at Southwark Crown Court to give evidence in a trial in which football agent Saif Rubie is accused of sending her a threatening email during her tenure at the west London club.
The Russian-Canadian football administrator was a key figure during the management of the club’s former owner, Roman Abramovich, and is at the center of the court case after receiving an email from Rubie in which he allegedly demanded payment for the transfer of Kurt Zouma from Chelsea to West Ham in 2021.
Mail Sport reported on Monday that Granovskaia was present on the first day of the trial and that the 49-year-old will give evidence for the first time on Tuesday afternoon.
Zouma’s move to the London Stadium and the amount he was sold for will be crucial in the trial as the jury decides whether Rubie’s alleged payment demand to Granovskaia was “reasonable”.
The court heard the total cost of the move was £29.1 million, including a £4.1 million redundancy payout to Zouma.
Marina Granovskaia arrived at Southward Crown Court on Tuesday morning to give evidence.
The former Chelsea manager allegedly received a threatening email from football agent Saif Rubie.
The trial related to an email focusing on the 2021 transfer of former Blues defender Kurt Zouma.
Granovskaia is one of a number of high-profile figures who will feature in Chelsea’s Abramovich-era proceedings, including former head coach Avram Grant.
Former Chelsea players Antonio Rudiger and Tammy Abraham were also named as potential persons of interest, as were senior agents Pini Zahavi, Barry Silkman and Kia Joorabchian.
Brentford owner Matthew Benham was also revealed as a possible contributor to the prosecution’s case, but Judge David Tomlinson cast doubt on the businessman’s involvement in the trial.
Granovskaia initially began working for the club after beginning her career at Abramovich’s former company Sibneft.
Rubie has pleaded not guilty and the trial, which could extend into next week, continues.
Former players Antonio Rudiger (center) and Tammy Abraham (right) could still be identified as persons of interest.
During her tenure as director in west London, Granovskaia masterminded a number of key deals (pictured with Thiago Silva in 2022)
She began representing the oligarch in 2010 and was appointed to the club’s board of directors in 2013, before taking over management of the club a year later.
Granovskaia is believed to have brokered landmark transfers, including Eden Hazard’s eventual £146m move to Real Madrid, and bumper sponsorship deals, such as the Blues’ £60m-a-year Nike deal, which runs until 2032. .
Rubie has pleaded not guilty.
The trial, which could extend into next week, continues.