Footie agent on trial for ‘sending threatening email to ex-Chelsea director over Kurt Zouma transfer’

A FOOTBALL agent has gone on trial for allegedly sending a threatening email to a former Chelsea director over the transfer of star Kurt Zouma.

Saif Alrubie, 45, is said to have messaged Marina Granovskaia demanding payment for his role in the £29million deal to sell Zouma to West Ham.

RexKurt Zouma playing for West Ham against  Bayer 04 Leverkusen earlier this week[/caption]

Rights reservedFootball agent  Saif Alrubie at Southwark Crown Court[/caption]

Saif Alrubie, 45, is said to have messaged ex-Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia demanding payment for his role in the £29million deal to sell Zouma to West HamRex

The French defender, 29, signed in August 2021 and Alrubie is accused of emailing his demand for commission in 2022.

Ms Granovskaia, 49, left Chelsea that year after almost 20 years at the Stamford Bridge club.

 Alrubie, from Fulham, West London, is on bail and denies one charge under the Malicious Communications Act.

The jury was sworn in at London’s Southwark crown court yesterday ahead of a one-week trial starting today. Zouma has scored three times for the Hammers this season.

Zouma has scored three times for the Hammers this season.

In 2022, Zouma was filmed kicking his cat like a football across his kitchen floor.

The Premier League star, 27, was also seen slapping his pet’s face.

The club condemned Zouma’s actions and fined him £250,000, which they stated was the maximum fine they were able to hand out.

The West Ham defender was seen attacking the pet at his £2million mansion while his brother filmed him.