Police ‘investigating threatening email sent to former Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia’

A British football agent has been released on bail after he was arrested as part of a blackmail investigation over an email threat to former Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, according to reports.

The Times reported that the agent, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, sent the message to Granovskaia while she was working on Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club. Granovskaia left Stamford Bridge in June, shortly after it was completed.

Police are investigating after the officer allegedly threatened Granovskaia and demanded £300,000 for his role in a high-profile transfer.

“If Chelsea don’t pay it, you have to pay the debt,” part of the report reads, according to The Times. “I’m done being nice to you.”

The Times reported that the officer had issued a similar threat to one he had made against another football figure. “I’ll make you pay for the way you’ve been,” he wrote in his email. ‘That’s not a threat. . . it’s a promise. If Chelsea don’t pay, it’s up to you. . . see you when i see you.

“I’ll give you the chance to make things right if you apologize for your behavior towards me. If you don’t, I promise you I’ll make you pay for the way you’ve been with me personally and professionally. This is not a threat, so take it as you wish. This is a promise I give to anyone who fucks/tryes to fuck me in anything in life.”

A police spokesman confirmed to the newspaper that a man had been arrested in connection with the investigation before he was released on bail on September 19.

Granovskaia oversaw Chelsea’s recruitment under former owner Roman Abramovich before leaving the club after the £4.25bn takeover by Boehly’s Clearlake Capital consortium was completed.

Granovskaia was hailed as “football’s best club director” in her role under Abramovich.

The Russian-Canadian businessman effectively led the club from day to day. According to Chelsea’s website, she has acted as the owner’s representative at the club and supporting the board of directors since her arrival in 2010.

Granovskaia was one of many figures to leave the club after the Boehly takeover. Former club chairman Bruce Buck also departed, along with chief executive Guy Laurence, as part of an overhaul at Stamford Bridge.

Boehly appointed himself interim sporting director following Granovskaia’s departure and oversaw a record £270 million over the summer.

Chelsea, when they confirmed Granovskaia would be leaving, said she would “remain available to Boehly and the club for the duration of the current transfer window”.