Roman Abramovich, the former Chelsea owner, was described as a “close ally of Vladimir Putin” by football agent Saif Alrubie in court.

On Thursday Alrubie was questioned by the prosecution in his trial at Southwark Crown Court for allegedly sending former Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia a malicious email.

During his cross-examination by prosecutor Arizuna Asante, Alrubie was repeatedly warned by judge David Tomlinson, who told him to stop being “so confrontational and unnecessary” in front of the jury.

Alrubie had said on Wednesday it would have been a “suicide mission” to threaten Granovskaia, who he described as “the right hand of Abramovich.”

During his cross-examination on Thursday, he again referenced Abramovich by saying: “He is a close ally of Vladimir Putin, sanctioned by the UK government.”

When judge Tomlinson told the jury that Arabmovich and other Russian oligarchs had been sanctioned by the Government and were unable to return to the UK, Alrubie said: “By some chance, she [Granovskaia] is the only one who stayed.”

In his email to Granovskaia, who worked for Abramovich at Chelsea, Alrubie had said: “Feel free to go to your boss who’s had his recent problems and tell him that you have a big problem with me as long as you tell him the truth about your behaviour.”

Alrubie received a number of warnings from judge Tomlinson during his questioning by Mr Asante, telling the prosecutor, more than once, to “keep it relevant.”

During one such exchange in front of the jury, judge Tomlinson turned to Alrubie and said: “Stop, stop, stop. Listen to the question and answer it.”

Alrubie has pleaded not guilty to threatening Granovskaia with the intention of causing distress or anxiety. Quoting his statement given to police, Mr Asante asked if he had been “f----- off” when sending the email to which Alrubie replied: “Excuse your French, but yeah.” Mr Asante said: “More your French than mine.”

Alrubie said Granovskaia was “a liar” more than once in answer to questions and said she and football agent Kia Joorabchian, who the court heard flew to America on Monday night, “both conspired”.

Earlier this week, the jury were told by Mr Asante that Joorabchian was allegedly confronted in a restaurant by people acting for Alrubie, who took his watch and refused to return it until payment was made later when approximately 12 men turned up at his office and ordered him to pay in bundles.

Alrubie has denied threatening Joorabchian, but confirmed in court on Thursday that he had indirectly received money from him as a result of a dispute in 2009.

In his email to Granovskaia, Alrubie wrote: “I’m sure you’ve heard the story about your other friend Kia [Joorabchian] when he owed me money for a year and how he ended up paying it. Wouldn’t want you to be in the same situation just because you have a personal issue with me.’’

Alrubie believes he is owed £300,000 in commission from the £29.1 million transfer of Kurt Zouma from West Ham United to Chelsea, which is what prompted his email.

Alrubie told the court that he had worked on the Zouma deal with another football agent, Barry Silkman, who also appeared as a witness on Thursday.

On his relationship with West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady, Silkman said: “I keep away from her to be honest.”

During an exchange with the judge in front of the jury, Silkman referenced the price of tickets at West Ham’s stadium and said: “The ones sitting at the back can’t even see the ground, you need binoculars to watch.”

Judge Tomlinson told the jury that they should be sent to consider their verdict “very early” on Friday afternoon.