Tony Hatfield's Retired Ramblings: Gooners Beware!

Here, I blogged about the new chap in charge at Manchester City F.C. He's wanted by the Thai authorities who think they have evidence to convict him of massive corruption.

Alisher Usmanov [Алишер Бурханович Усманов](above) according to the BBC intends to secure a "blocking stake" in Arsenal Football club.
I think the Gooners ought to be worried.
Today, as usual I logged onto Craig Murray's blog....Firefox told me they were unable to connect.
Schillings, lawyers acting on behalf of Usmanov had apparently sent a threatening letter to Murray's web host concerning a piece written by Murray, posted on his blog.This was mirrored at Tim Ireland's Bloggerheads.This action switched off not only Murray's blog but also Tim Ireland's.
The article that got the huge Usmanov into a dither concerns his shady past in Russia and his connections with some deeply unpleasant characters in both Russia and Uzbekistan, a country that Craig Murray knows well.
Schillings sell themselves as experts in "Reputation and Brand Protection". Their website advises clients:

"We don’t need to tell you about the importance of reputation and brand value, or how vulnerable they are to external events.But we can tell you about the legal tools that can be used to protect your reputation and brand as part of your communications and risk strategy. These tools can be used in a crisis."

The problem for those like Schillings' client Usmanov, is that once a piece is posted on a blog, it is most unlikely to disappear. You can read Murray's piece entitled "Alisher Usmanov, potential Arsenal chairman, is a Vicious Thug, Criminal, Racketeer, Heroin Trafficker and Accused Rapist", here and here and here. As usual, you can rely on Postman Patel for robust comment!