Saddam lawyer eyes investment in Irish soccer club

DUBLIN, Apr 20 (Reuters) One of Saddam Hussein's lawyers, controversial advocate Giovanni di Stefano, is considering investing over one million euros in Irish football team Shelbourne FC, the club said today.

The Anglo-Italian lawyer, who also once worked on behalf of former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, is reported to want total control of the cash-strapped club if he gets the chance.

He will hold talks with Shelbourne next week.

Shelbourne chief executive Ollie Byrne told Reuters: ''He said he'd like a modest investment -- you could take it that wasn't less than a million (euros).'' ''If somebody asks for a meeting with you, you meet them as a courtesy, but it doesn't mean you're getting into bed with them,'' he added.

Di Stefano was unavailable to comment, but the Irish Daily Mirror quoted him today saying: ''I want to invest in Shelbourne and make them a top club in the European Champions League.'' ''If I got the opportunity for total control of Shelbourne, I would take it,'' he added.

A Shelbourne spokesman said the meeting had been scheduled for Monday at a Dublin hotel.

Di Stefano is one of the lawyers representing ousted Iraqi president Saddam, who is on trial for crimes against humanity.

REUTERS AY KN1816