Chechen businessman Chagaev sues Swiss teacher

The businessman from Chechnya Bulat Chagaev, who had bought the Swiss Football Club "Xamax", has sued the local teacher of literature, who expressed doubt about the origin of the businessman's money.

Patrick Vincent, a teacher of literature at the local university, posted leaflets in the city, where he condemned the purchase of the Football Club by Chagaev, treating it as "dangerous and immoral." The teacher asked questions about the origin of his wealth. Chagaev learnt about it and filed a slander lawsuit against the teacher.

"From that moment on, all the statements directed against Mr Chagaev or the 'Xamax' FC will be individually considered in the judicial order," said Paolo Urfer, the technical director of the club. "Humanly, I understand that Mr Chagaev would not accept, when people talk lies about him."

For Mr Vincent a great shock was not a lawsuit, but the reaction of the FC. "I'm surprised that they are not so sure of themselves that they need to attack a teacher of literature, who is just a voice in the desert. All I've managed to win was support of about 30 persons. If they are afraid of me, it means that they do not feel comfortable," The Washington Post quotes the teacher.

On the eve of these events, in the championship of Switzerland, the "Xamax" played with "Tun" and crushingly lost 1:4. Before the match Chagaev's opponents held a protest by marching across the campus with posters addressed to the businessman, the "Gazeta.ru" writes.

Philip Gnaegi, the city sports minister, has supported Chagaev. "Stability and sustainable development of the 'Xamax' are the preconditions for development of the city. We can't let the politics to interfere with sports," he said.