Football agent, 45, appears in court over 'threatening' email claims

• Alrubie accused of demanding payment over £29million transfer of Kurt Zouma

A football agent is on trial for allegedly sending a threatening email to a former Chelsea director, demanding payment.

Saif Alrubie, 45, is charged with sending Marina Granovskaia, 49, an electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety on 22 May 2022.

The agent is accused of demanding payment over the £29million transfer of Kurt Zouma, 29, to West Ham – accusations revealed exclusively by MailOnline.

The French centre-back signed for the Hammers in August 2021 and Alrubie, who acted as the agent in the deal, is said to have wanted the payment of his commission.

Saif Alrubie, 45, (pictured) is charged with sending Marina Granovskaia, 49, an electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety. Saif Alrubie at Southwark Crown Court on April 22

Ms Granovskaia (pictured) left Chelsea in 2022 after almost 20 years at Stamford Bridge

Alrubie, from Fulham, west London, denies one charge under the Malicious Communications Act.

At a previous hearing, his barrister Warwick Aleeson said: ‘The case involves, effectively, a contractual dispute between the defendant and the complainant, who was one of the managers of the Chelsea Football Club, over the transfer of a player to the value of in excess of 30 million euros and the commission owed to this defendant.’

Ms Granovskaia left Chelsea in 2022 after almost 20 years at Stamford Bridge.

Footballer Kurt Zouma, pictured, was represented by Alrubie. He was sold from Chelsea to West Ham for almost £30 million

Alrubie, from Fulham, west London , denies one charge under the Malicious Communications Act

Her departure came after US billionaire Todd Boehly’s sports franchise’s record £4.25 billion purchase of the club following the UK Government sanctions placed on Roman Abramovich.

Zouma has played for West Ham 35 times this season, scoring three goals.

The jury was sworn in today at Southwark Crown Court ahead of the prosecution opening the one-week trial tomorrow morning.

Read more