Wang Jianlin, president of Dalian Wanda (R) talked to sports minister Liu Peng (L) [ Source: Sina.com]

Speaking at a signing ceremony on Sunday for a multi-million-dollar deal with the Chinese Football Association (CFA), real estate mogul Wang Jianlin announced his company's bold return to Chinese soccer – and disgust for comments about him in the Chinese media.

In an interview with state-run broadcaster CCTV, Wang Jianlin, president of Liaoning-based property developer Dalian Wanda, expressed outrage at media reports comparing him to Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire who owns English Premier League team Chelsea.

"It's absolutely an insult to compare me with Abramovich," Wang said in an interview with state-owned broadcaster CCTV. “Abramovich became a millionaire overnight by embezzling state-owned assets, while I made my fortune in the market.”

"In terms of moral conduct, I'm also far better than Abramovich, who leads a life of debauchery,” he added. “In terms of wealth, I don't know if he is richer than me. So I say the comparison is an insult."

Abramovich's brash management style and extravagant parties have made him a popular subject of sports gossip mavens. A US$5-million New Year's bash he threw at his residence in St. Bart's in 2009 reportedly featured performances by Gwen Stefani, Prince and Beyonce.

Wanda, whose team has set a 55-game unbeaten record and won the Chinese league championship four times from 1994 to 1998, decided to withdraw from the league after losing the 1998 CFA Cup semifinal to Liaoning. Two years later, Wanda sold its shares to Dalian Shide.

Wang Jianlin, who had vowed never to get involved with Chinese soccer again, said that his passion for Chinese soccer had never died out.

"My love for soccer is still burning," he said.

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