In the beginning of the 2009/2010 Premier League Season, it seemed that Portsmouth [otherwise known as Pompey] was going to undergo administration. Ali Al Faraj had just saved Pompey from that fate by completing his purchase of the team. Ali Al Faraj is a property investor based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia who is a strong supporter of the Premier League.

He has already passed the «fit and proper test» for future owners and he will join the board of director at Pompey. In another arrangement, Ali Al Faraj’s lawyer whose name is Mark Jacob will also be a member of the Board of Directors while Peter Storrie will remain the Chief Executive.

While opposed to the purchase of Manchester United by Glazer and Manchester City by Thaksin Shinawatra, the underwriter decided to study what was behing Ali Al Faraj’s decision to buy Pompey.

While it would have been preferrable that the fans themselves were to buy the team in the same way that certain fans purchased Scarborough Athletic or Luton, it is understandable if someone who loves the Premier League is willing to purchase it to save the team. People like that deserve praise for what they do. The rest remains to be seen.