Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant is among a host of high profile figures set to be embroiled in agent Saif Rubie’s trial, in which he is accused of sending a threatening email to Marina Granovskaia.

Ex-Blues players Antonio Rudiger and Tammy Abraham were also mentioned in court as individuals who could become figures of interest in the case.

The trial, in which Rubie is accused of sending malicious communications to former Blues director, Granovskaia in relation to Kurt Zouma’s move from Chelsea to West Ham in August 2021, started at Southwark Crown Court on Monday.

Granovskaia, who rarely makes public appearances, was in attendance at court in her role as a witness for the Crown Prosecution Service but was not required to take the stand on Monday.

The Russian football administrator is alleged to have received an email from Rubie in May 2022 demanding payment from the intermediary role in Zouma’s switch from Stamford Bridge to the London Stadium.

Agent Saif Rubie is on trial after being accused of sending a threatening email to Marina Granovskaia

And in the opening day of the trial, a number of football’s most recognisable names were cited by Judge David Tomlinson as potential factors in the case, which could move into the start of next week.

Judge Tomlinson referred to Granovskaia as someone who ‘held an executive role at Chelsea under Roman Abramovich’.

In addition to Zouma, Granovskaia and Rubie, former Chelsea coach Grant, was mentioned as a potential witness during the proceedings.

Grant, managed Chelsea for a period between 2007-2008, has historically had close links to the west London club and its former owner Abramovich.

Leading agents Pini Zahavi, Barry Silkman and Kia Joorabchian were among the intermediaries mentioned in court on Monday as those in line to figure in the trial.

The trial continues.