Wang Jianlin Photo: CFP

A Chinese real estate tycoon who pledged to spend 500 million yuan ($77.3 million) to boost soccer in the country over the next three years has taken offense at comparisons with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Wang Jianlin, the chairman of Dalian Wanda, said his path to fortune had been nothing like that taken by the Russian oligarch.

"It's a shame to be compared to the Russian billionaire. I feel ashamed to be mentioned with him," he said.

"He accumulated his wealth by monopolizing his country's natural resources," Wang said. "I set up my business empire step by step, competing fiercely in the market."

Wang insisted he would not use Chinese soccer as his private recreation. The chairman said investment in Chinese soccer was "necessary support to push it out from the bottom."

He added: "(Abramovich) treats soccer as a kind of amusement in his luxury life while I am really concerned about the sport's poor situation in the country."

The new deal reached between Wanda and the Chinese Football Association will include the hiring of top foreign coaches and sending young players to Europe for training.

Agencies