portsmouth manager can visit brothel says wife
Avram Grant's wife defends husband over brothel visit: 'He can do whatever he likes with his body'
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:59 PM on 04th February 2010
The wife of Premier League boss Avram Grant has hit back at allegations he was caught in a 'Thai' brothel by claiming: 'He can do whatever he likes with his body.'
Portsmouth manager Grant may be quizzed by police in connection with an alleged visit to a seedy 'massage parlour' they are investigating.
The former Chelsea chief's TV presenter wife, Tzofit, today denied Grant paid for sex and claimed he was simply looking for a relaxing massage.
Enlarge https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2010/02/119.jpg Avram Grant, pictured with wife Tzofit in 2004, may be questioned by police after he was photographed leaving a 'massage parlour'
The 45-year-old told Israeli sports newspaper '1One': 'Avram is a private man and can do whatever he wants.
'Avram went in public, in the middle of the day to have a Thai massage, not to a brothel.
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'He went to have a massage in the official uniform of Portsmouth. He came out happy and smiling and does not have anything to hide.
'I do not understand why people think they can invade our private lives.
'Avram can do whatever he wants and the only anger I have is that he does not go to have a Thai massage every day.
'The truth is that if Avram wanted to go to a brothel, it is his right. He can do whatever he likes with his body.
https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2010/02/120.jpg The massage parlour not far from Portsmouth's training ground which Grant was spotted leaving
https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2010/02/121.jpg The parlour was fitted with a large multi-person whirlpool bath and wooden sauna
Enlarge https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2010/02/122.jpg Avram Grant with John Terry during his time at Chelsea
'We are very famous people but we can do what we want in our free time.'
Grant spent an hour at the dingy massage parlour, named 'FuFu's', on an industrial estate, in the village of Horton Heath, four miles from Portsmouth's training ground in Eastleigh, Hampshire, on December 18.
Asian working girls charged £130 an hour for full intercourse before it was shut down three days ago.
When he emerged wearing his club tracksuit, emblazoned with his initials 'AG', Grant was asked by a reporter if he knew it was a brothel.
He smiled and replied 'yes' before getting into a chauffeur driven car.
UK privacy laws prevented his identity being revealed until this week in the wake of John Terry's failed bid to gag the press from revealing his affair with Vanessa Perroncel.
Father-of-two Grant's name has had over 10,000 mentions on internet websites in connection with the vice den.
Grant has been married to Tzofit for the past 16 years, although he lives alone in an apartment in posh St John's Wood, central London, while she loves with their children aged 12 and 15, in Tel Aviv.
Sources in Israel claim the couple have an 'open relationshp'.
Hampshire Police have confirmed they are investigating the parlour.
Grant is set to be questioned by vice squad officers as a witness if their enquiry results in anyone being charged with living off immoral earnings.
A police spokesman said: 'We are aware of certain allegations that have been made in connection with that location. There is nothing to evidence the allegations at the moment.'
The brothel is listed on escort website 'Punternet'. Reviews say it has a Jacuzzi and a range of girls aged between 20 and 40.
Grant has refused to comment over the allegations, which heap more embarrassment on crisis club Portsmouth.
The 2008 FA Cup winners are £60 million pounds in debt and face being wound up next week by HM Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill of £11 million pounds.
Grant, who guided Chelsea to the Champions League final, takes his struggling side to Manchester United tomorrow after being assured he would not be sacked.
A club source said: 'The club will not be making any comment officially but these allegations do not affect Avram's job.
'This is a personal matter and what Avram gets up to in his free time is his own business.'
Hong Kong money lender Balram Chainrai dramatically seized control of the ailing south coast club today.
Chainrai has taken over Ali Al Faraj's 90 per cent stake after the Premier League bottom side missed deadlines to repay loans of £17 million pounds.
The loans taken by Al Faraj in October and November to keep Pompey afloat and pay wages were secured against Fratton Park, future TV revenue and Al Faraj's shareholding.
A Portsmouth source said: 'Balram does not want to own a football club. He is a money lender who just wants to make sure he gets what is owed
'Unlike Al Faraj he has the funds to finance the debts so this takeover is great news for the club.
'Nothing will change on the playing side. Avram will remain as manager and Balram is very happy with that arrangement.'
