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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Tax probe led to football arrests | Tax probe led to football arrests |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Birmingham City has said the arrest of its co-owner and managing director relates to an inquiry into payments to a football agent and two players. | Birmingham City has said the arrest of its co-owner and managing director relates to an inquiry into payments to a football agent and two players. |
| David Sullivan and Karren Brady were arrested on Wednesday by City of London Police and are currently on bail. | David Sullivan and Karren Brady were arrested on Wednesday by City of London Police and are currently on bail. |
| Shares in the club were suspended after the pair were quizzed over allegations of false accounting and conspiracy to defraud. | Shares in the club were suspended after the pair were quizzed over allegations of false accounting and conspiracy to defraud. |
| In a statement the club said it related to tax and national insurance payments. | In a statement the club said it related to tax and national insurance payments. |
| It said the police investigation was focussed on "payments to a football agent and two players dating back to 2002/2003". | It said the police investigation was focussed on "payments to a football agent and two players dating back to 2002/2003". |
| That season was the club's first in the top flight of English football for 17 years and saw them match their highest finish since 1978. | That season was the club's first in the top flight of English football for 17 years and saw them match their highest finish since 1978. |
| 'Fully committed' | 'Fully committed' |
| The club added the probe was "in relation to the payment, or possible non-payment of PAYE and National Insurance contributions". | The club added the probe was "in relation to the payment, or possible non-payment of PAYE and National Insurance contributions". |
| "There is absolutely no allegation that any director of the company or the club itself have benefited financially from any of this activity." | "There is absolutely no allegation that any director of the company or the club itself have benefited financially from any of this activity." |
| It said it was "fully committed" to working with police, adding: "For the avoidance of doubt we wish to make it plain that David, Karren and Birmingham City FC deny absolutely any wrong doing." | It said it was "fully committed" to working with police, adding: "For the avoidance of doubt we wish to make it plain that David, Karren and Birmingham City FC deny absolutely any wrong doing." |
| David Sullivan is the club's co-owner | David Sullivan is the club's co-owner |
| Trading in its shares, which were earlier suspended on the London Stock Exchange at the club's request, has since resumed.. | |
| Ms Brady made no comment as she left her home in Knowle, Solihull, shortly before 0800 BST. | Ms Brady made no comment as she left her home in Knowle, Solihull, shortly before 0800 BST. |
| Police raided the club last month in what was said to be "an ongoing investigation into football corruption". | Police raided the club last month in what was said to be "an ongoing investigation into football corruption". |
| Ms Brady, 39, and Mr Sullivan, 59, were questioned and bailed by the City of London force's economic crime unit. | Ms Brady, 39, and Mr Sullivan, 59, were questioned and bailed by the City of London force's economic crime unit. |
| A statement released by Birmingham City FC on Wednesday said the pair had been interviewed by officers as part of a "longstanding appointment" and they had "happily done so". | A statement released by Birmingham City FC on Wednesday said the pair had been interviewed by officers as part of a "longstanding appointment" and they had "happily done so". |
| Shares suspended | Shares suspended |
| Meanwhile, it has emerged that shares in a company owned by the businessman Carson Yeung, who recently mounted a takeover attempt of the club, have also been suspended. | Meanwhile, it has emerged that shares in a company owned by the businessman Carson Yeung, who recently mounted a takeover attempt of the club, have also been suspended. |
| Trading has been halted in Grand Top International's shares on the Hong Kong stock exchange, the BBC's sports correspondent Pat Murphy said. | Trading has been halted in Grand Top International's shares on the Hong Kong stock exchange, the BBC's sports correspondent Pat Murphy said. |
| Mr Yeung owns 29.9% of shares in Birmingham City. | Mr Yeung owns 29.9% of shares in Birmingham City. |
| Seven other people are currently on bail as part of the City of London Police investigation in to allegations of corruption in football. | Seven other people are currently on bail as part of the City of London Police investigation in to allegations of corruption in football. |
| Among those previously arrested are Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, the club's chief executive Peter Storrie and former chairman Milan Mandaric. | Among those previously arrested are Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, the club's chief executive Peter Storrie and former chairman Milan Mandaric. |
| Former Portsmouth midfielder Amdy Faye, a Senegalese international, has also been questioned by police. | Former Portsmouth midfielder Amdy Faye, a Senegalese international, has also been questioned by police. |