Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim says the controversy over his real estate development company, Hydra Properties, will not affect his prospective ownership of Portsmouth by preventing him passing the Premier League's "fit and proper person" test.
Al Fahim's assurance comes as he to begin due diligence on the club, with the league yet to contact him.
A Facebook group called Hydra Investors, which has 199 members, has been set up by disgruntled customers upset at issues including delays, rising prices, payment schedules and potential forfeiture regarding the 2,500-villa Hydra Village project in Dubai. Al Fahim moved to placate them by agreeing to postpone further payments until next year.
Asked if he if was worried about the situation, Al Fahim said: "No. We have no concern about that. All the properties will be done. We have no issue about this group and [have said] we intend to make them more happy. We are there to help everybody that we can."
But one member who calls himself Mohammed Ahmed Ali wrote: "There is no way there are 900 workers on site. Not unless they are hiding behind the sand dunes somewhere. I wish there was but I stopped outside late last week and it was not the case. We have given Hydra many chances [and much money] over the past two years. In turn they have given us nothing but stress."
The toughened fit-and-proper-person regulations include a so-called "honesty" offence that automatically invokes a ban and will apply to directors of a club or those with a share of at least 30%. The timing of the Hydra Investors claims, therefore, is potentially damaging to Al Fahim's reputation at a moment when he will soon be expected to pass the League's test.
He says he is not considering legal action. "We listen to them [the group] and, if someone is unhappy, we have the right to help them; if someone wants supporting, we support them."
He played down potential objection from the Premier League. "Actually these are two different issues because [Portsmouth is being bought] by my personal company, my personal money and nothing to do with Hydra properties. At Hydra I work as a CEO of the company. The Portsmouth buy-out is with my personal money and investment."
Asked if there has there been any contact from the Premier League, Al Fahim said: "No. Nothing." This is a little surprising considering that it is understood the League is keen to be involved from the moment a prospective owner announces intent to buy. Al Fahim will be in the country for three days with due diligence on Portsmouth expected to take between one to two weeks, said a friend of the businessman