Russian billionaire Boris Berezovski told the Friday edition of a Brazilian newspaper that he plans to invest in Brazilian soccer team Corinthians, and that he is planning a bid for MSI, the British sporting group that owns the soccer team.

"I want to invest in Corinthians and in MSI. I am now going to study the best way of doing so. I want to take Corinthians to the top: investing in the team but also building a new stadium," Berezovski told the Folha de Sao Paulo.

The Russian magnate, who is accused by Russian authorities of financial crimes, told media that he would take his final decision in two or three months, even though current manager, Iran's Kia Joorabchian, has previously told Brazilian press that MSI is not for sale.

"Kia is not an investor. He is a manager. I am going to speak with the investors," the Russian said. "As you know, I was the person who helped Kia bring in the investors, so I know them all."

Berezovski, who has lived in exile in London since 2001, said he did not really know all the team's players, but said he was a fan of Corinthians and especially of their Argentine international Carlos Tevez, who recently signed for English team West Ham.

"I don't know who the world's best player is, but I know my personal favorite is Tevez," he said.

Away from soccer he said that he may invest in energy and infrastructure, adding that he had nothing to hide from authorities in relation to accusations that he was the real owner of MSI, and that he was using the company to launder illegal money.

Source: Xinhua