Grapevine: Abramovich Denies Interest in Jordan

Roman Abramovich has denied reports that he is to make a move into Formula One by buying a stake in Eddie Jordan's cash-strapped team.

Abramovich, who has pumped millions into the Chelsea Football Club to take them to third in the Premiership League championship, was reported to have had several meetings with Jordan after being introduced by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Jordan has confirmed he is interested in approaches from new investors who can boost his team's spending power but Abramovich has denied he is to buy into the Silverstone-based outfit.

"There is nothing in this," John Mann, a spokesman for Abramovich, told AFP. "At the moment Roman is being linked with bids to buy anything from a shopping centre to another football team. When anything is up for sale his name is being connected with it and it gets a little nasty after a time.

"It is true that Roman enjoys F1 and has met Eddie several times but that's it. Roman has also met with Bernie Ecclestone but that doesn't mean he's going to buy his house. We just want to lay all these rumours to rest."