2010年3月4日星期四
Redknapp in court on tax chargeLONDON - TOTTENHAM Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp and former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric appeared in a British court on Thursday jointly accused of cheating the public revenue.
The pair face two charges relating to two alleged payments totalling US$295,000 (S$416,593) made to Redknapp during his time as manager of Portsmouth by Mandaric via a bank account in Monaco, evading tax and national insurance contributions.
Appearing together in the dock, Mandaric, 71, and Redknapp, 62, spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and ages and lent forward and listened carefully to proceedings in a brief, five minute hearing at the City of Westminster magistrates court in central London. The pair were given unconditional bail and must now appear at London's Southwark Crown Court on Apr 14 where they will enter their pleas.
After the hearing, Mandaric's lawyer said his client was 'surprised and extremely disappointed' that the authorities had decided to prosecute him, saying the case was 'misconceived and extremely ill-judged'. 'We are absolutely confident that this prosecution will fail,' his lawyer Mark Wilson told reporters.
Redknapp took over as Portsmouth boss in March 2002, won promotion to the top flight Premier League the following season, but resigned after a dispute with Mandaric in 2004. However, he returned the following year and led the south coast English club to its first FA Cup success for 69 years in 2008, before he left for Tottenham just months later.
His current side are sixth in the Premier League after losing 1-0 to Wolves on Wednesday. Tottenham have given Redknapp their full backing after learning he would face legal proceedings. -- REUTERS
I cannot really understand why does Mandaric's lawyer actually protect his client like that, saying that Mandaric was surprised and extremely disappointed at hearing about this case. From what he is saying, he gives me the understanding that Mandaric knew about this case, which shows that he is somehow linked to this, but yet acted ignorant. Redknapp, onthe other hand, I believe that he should be innocent. Based on his wonderful results of producing miracles in matches, he does not need to undergo such despicable act to earn a quick buck. I believe that clubs are willing to pay him big money for him to win matches, especially against the top clubs. However, his unstable movement of clubs does give rise to suspicions.
From this, I feel that this incident should not be Redknapp's fault. This should be Mandaric's fault as by not paying tax fees, it is Mandaric who gains whereas Redknapp does not gain anything.
votexron
@ 03:33
