Commenting on Portsmouth’s current financial troubles Harry Redknapp, its former manager, observed: “As somebody said they’ve (Portsmouth) found the only Arab who seems to be struggling for money.” He was wrong. I had the misfortune of finding the other Arab short of a bob or two. Forget a thousand and one nights, it was more a case of a thousand and one excuses.

The case of Sulaiman al-Fahim, Portsmouth’s new owner, mirrors my own recent experience with apparently rich Gulf Arabs - including a hospital episode.

Like al-Fahim, we too were spun a glamorous vision of riches, comfort and mixing with royalty. In fact, the service we provided was minimal in return for a decent reward package, including first-class travel and presidential suites at a 5 star hotel. So far so good. Unfortunately, like the Portsmouth affair that’s where the glitz and glamour ended. Continue reading A thousand and one excuses – an Arabian tale