International man of mystery
Published on: Sunday, April 17, 2016
PETALING JAYA: Just who is Datuk Dr Noordin Ahmad? That is the question on everyone's lips as the Malaysian is said to be the new owner of Serie B club, FC Bari 1908. Reports coming out of Italy said he bought a 50 per cent stake in the Italian club for €12 million (RM53.16 million) from president and former referee Gianluca Paparesta. But at yesterday's Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) awards dinner and also at a function at the Olympic Council of Malaysia in the morning, no one was able to answer the question.
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Journalists in Italy, too, are perplexed by the international man of mystery and one reached out to Malay Mail, asking for more information about the low-profile businessman. Lorenzo Vendemiale of Ii Fatto Quotidian, one of the most important dailies in Italy said: "His lawyer presented him as a very rich man, with a lot of activities in petrol, diamonds and infrastructures. "He is said to be very close to the leaders in the Malaysian government, with a passion for football and Italy. "Other than that, we do not know much about him."
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Even FA of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Datuk Mohd Hamidin Mohd Amin said: "I do not know who he is or why he is investing in Italian football."Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Speculation about the possible takeover of Bari was fuelled after the Jalur Gemilang was spotted at the terrace of FC Bari's home match against Cesena at Stadio San Nicola on April 4.
