SULAIMAN Al Fahim is confident an acute kidney infection will not impact on refinancing Portsmouth, with chief executive Peter Storrie insisting there is less than a month to save the club from financial turmoil.

Pompey owner Al Fahim, left, was admitted to hospital in Dubai and scheduled for an operation to remove kidney stones, although he hopes to attend the Barclays Premier League match against Tottenham at Fratton Park on October 17.

According to Storrie, approximately one third of the £50m Al Fahim has pledged needs to be in place around the time of that match.

“I have to be truthful and tell you that I don’t know if the 30 per cent of the £50m refinancing package will arrive with us in mid-October,” Storrie said.

“So the bottom line is the middle to end of October. I really don’t know what will happen if that money doesn’t come through.

“The documentation is in place, but the proof of whether it is all genuine will be if it turns up. Sulaiman says that it will, so I have to believe that. He believes it, so let’s wait and see.”

Uncertainty over Al Fahim’s refinancing plans grew this week when Pompey players were not paid and the club’s executive directors were needed to secure funding for wages owed.

“We have a loan to pay the players’ wages for last month, but what has been used as security I cannot tell you because it has been handled by the lawyers between the two parties, while I have just been the guy doing the introduction,”

Storrie added.

“If we are talking about the club being used as security, all I can say is I genuinely don’t know, but it wouldn’t surprise me. I persuaded them to help the club. There are people willing to help as it is worth saving.”

Storrie has spoken about Pompey owing money to agents and other clubs, with the Premier League understood to be monitoring the situation. The Professional Footballers’ Association will deal with any contractual issues if players are not paid.

“The Premier League have been helpful, we’ve been in touch and work closely with them.

“They’re keeping an eye on the situation, but I’m keeping them informed,” Storrie added. “They are aware of all the facts.”

Pompey’s chaotic week took a fresh twist after it emerged Al Fahim had been admitted to hospital. Al Fahim’s London-based spokesman said: “When I spoke to Sulaiman Al Fahim, he confirmed he was rushed to a Dubai hospital last night with an acute kidney infection.

“He is going to be operated on today to get his kidney stones removed. He expects to be out of the hospital and back in a couple of days.

“Having said, that the kidney infection will take longer to be treated. His sudden hospitalisation will not impact the refinancing or the management of Portsmouth FC.

“His advisors are working closely with the chief finance officer of Portsmouth FC, Tanya Robins, to ensure that the financing that he announced to the fans last Friday is delivered on schedule within the next three to four weeks, while the day-today management of the club is ensured by the clubs CEO Peter Storrie.”

According to minutes from a meeting on Friday between Al Fahim and the Pompey Virtual Alliance (PVA) – a group of fans’ websites – the club’s new owner is willing to work with other investors in Portsmouth.

One suggestion has been to work with a consortium that rivalled Al Fahim’s original bid.