Episode 18
”From San Cataldo to New York; The unauthorized biography” (episode 18)
On Tuesday night, Cala dismissed concerns about his business background, claiming to have private wealth dating from his involvement in Japanese-backed hotel projects in Hawaii in the 1980s. Cala also said Chainrai would not have let negotiations reach such an advanced stage if he did not have the money to pay him off.
“The undersea resorts was never more than a research and development project,” he said. “I do have money, I will be the sole investor in Portsmouth, and I have provided proof of funds of more than £20 million to the administrator.
“In the 1980s I was a broker between banks and developers in Hawaii and I operated on a fee of 30 per cent of equity on successful projects. I was involved in major hotel developments including the Grand Wailea and the Western Maui.”
Cala, who claims to have played for Inter Milan’s academy side before his family left Italy for the US, warned that he still has reservations about the Portsmouth deal, principally the wages paid to leading players. He said he would undertake massive cost-cutting exercise if he takes control, and will live and work full-time in Portsmouth as chief executive and president.
Cala, who claims to have played for Inter Milan’s academy side before his family left Italy for the US
