Police to study Gaydamak's business history

Police are to review a dossier which raises questions over the purchase of Alexandre "Sacha" Gaydamak's 50 per cent stake in Portsmouth, according to a local newspaper report.

Hampshire police's special investigations unit confirmed yesterday that it was to look into the background of the Franco-Russian businessman, who was said to have paid £15m for a half-share in the club in January.

The Portsmouth evening newspaper The News reported that detectives had been given a dossier by the independent investigative organisation Global Witness, which looks at business dealings across the world. The group claims that many of Gaydamak's companies have not had a massive turnover and wants checks made on whether the money used to buy half of Pompey may actually belong to his father Arcadi.

Arcadi is the subject of an arrest warrant in France over an alleged arms-for-oil deal in Angola. Alexandre Gaydamak, 30, has always insisted that the money he used to buy into the club - and the £12m with which the manager, Harry Redknapp, has signed nine players - was his.

Elsewhere, the Football Association will consult police and view video evidence before deciding whether to charge the Sheffield United manager, Neil Warnock.

Warnock was sent to the stands by the referee Graham Poll and removed from his technical area by a police officer at half-time during the fiercely contested Yorkshire derby with Leeds on Tuesday night. The 57-year-old, who was supposed to be celebrating his side's promotion to the Premiership, now faces the prospect of a touchline ban and may have to watch his side kick off the new season from the stands.

"We have received Graham Poll's report," an FA spokesman said. "We will speak to various people, including the police, and will study video evidence before deciding what, if any, action needs to be taken. There are no set sanctions for any of our disciplinary charges."

Warnock must already answer a charge of improper conduct following his side's 2-1 defeat at Norwich last month when he flicked a V-sign at his opposite number, Nigel Worthington. He has requested a personal hearing, but a date has yet to be set.