CANADIAN BILLIONAIRE JACK KHACHKAR TO BUY OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE

Eurosport, France
Jan 17 2007

Canadian billionaire Jack Kachkar is buying Olympique Marseille owner
Robert Louis Dreyfus’ share of the club. The final details are being
cleared up but the deal should be completed within the next few days,
Kachkar’s representatives told eurosport.com.

The new OM supremo is contractually obliged to keep chairman Pape
Diouf and director of sports Jose Anigo until the end of the season.

"Jack Kachkar confirms he made an offer to Robert Louis Dreyfus,
accompanied by the requisite guarantees, for the acquisition of
his majority shareholding of Olympique Marseille," a spokesman told
us today.

"Mr Kachkar’s offer will be revealed to the Marseille board in the
next few days for a consultation. The operation must be concluded
during February."

Kachkar has been linked with a move for the sleeping giants since
the start of the season, with Sven-Goran Eriksson reportedly primed
to take the coaching reins on confirmation.

"I have wanted to invest myself personally in a big football club
for a long time," Jack Kachkar declared.

"I am passionate about football and I have been a Marseille fan for
a while now. I appreciate its history and the support of the fans
for their team.

"Being the major shareholder of this historic club is an honour for
me. This is why I have the intention to involve myself personally
within the club in the long-term.

"Together we will make Olympique de Marseille a big club again."

Kachkar is a Syrian-born Canadian of Armenian ancestry and runs Inyx
Ltd, a pharmaceuticals company.

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