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| Ian Rush appears in court in 'fake' autographs trial |
LIVERPOOL football legend Ian Rush was treated to a holiday in Dubai and a “plush stay” in a hotel arranged by a man accus- ed of making thousands of pounds by selling forged signa- tures of sports stars, a court heard yesterday (Wed Feb 27).
Faisal Madani, 42, organised the trip for Rush and his wife as part of a “promotion” for a hotel, but the court heard the star did not do any promotional work during his stay.
Rush, 46, said he had also been treated to trips to a casino in London and in Stockport, Greater Manchester, and an all expenses paid stay in a Hilton hotel for a TV appearance.
The ex-striker said he had signed shirts and photographs in the presence of Madani dur- ing two visits to appear on the TV programme, which auction- ed signed memorabilia.
But the former Liverpool player told the court that he had not signed hundreds of tops in the presence of Madani.
Rush also said his genuine signature was not on a 1977 Liverpool European Cup Winners’ shirt, which had been framed, and a photograph of him with Michael Owen taken between 2003 and 2004 during his time as coach at Liverpool.
The items had been on sale at Sporting Icons, a sporting memorabilia store based in Chester, the city’s Crown.
Sporting Icons owner Graeme Walker, 45, and former business partner Madani are accused of selling and offering sporting memorabilia, including shirts and photographs, with faked autographs of stars.
During cross examina- tion of Rush, Peter Davies, defending Madani, said: “Can I suggest to you that you had a relationship with Mr Madani over 12 to 18 months where you were paid money for the provision of your signature on a number of occasions. Is that right?” Rush replied: “Yes.”
Asking about the holiday in Dubai, Mr Davies said: “It was a very nice, very plush stay. Is that correct?”
Rush answered: “Yes.”
Mr Davies asked: “Any reason why he treated you?”
Rush said: “To go to the hotel to promote the place.”
He admitted he did not do any promotion work during his holiday in Dubai.
Madani faces 20 charges under the Trade Descriptions Act and the Trade Marks Act and Walker faces 53 similar offences, including those under the Theft Act and fraudulent trading under the Companies Act.
Walker, of Mountain View Close, Connah’s Quay, Deeside, and Madani, of Grange Road, Stockport, Great- er Manchester, deny the charges
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