ODIOUS CHARACTERS GIVE THEIR VERDICTS

Pini Zahavi last night branded Ken Bates "history and repulsive" after hitting back in his war of words with the Chelsea chairman.

Bates called Zahavi a "d***head" in an embarrassing after-dinner speech even though the Israeli super agent set up Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's takeover of Chelsea last summer.

Bates, 72, who is being frozen out of Stamford Bridge after his 22-year reign as chairman, earned £19million from the Abramovich takeover and it also saved Chelsea as financial experts believed they were just days from going into administration.

"This revolting character is not worthy of a response," Zahavi told Tel Aviv newspaper Ma'ariv. "If I was in his shoes I would wake up every morning praying to God and thanking him that Pini Zahavi saved him from bankruptcy and put £19m in his pocket.

"He is history as far as English football is concerned."

It is the latest blow for Bates whose big mouth has made him the chairman that every football fan loves to hate.

Peter Kenyon said: "Ken sold the club last summer and as a consequence of that he ceased to be and have any executive responsibilities. I took over those executive responsibilities.”