This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/7340058.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Tax probe led to football arrests | Tax probe led to football arrests |
| (about 1 hour 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 at the club's request after the pair were quizzed over allegations of false accounting and conspiracy to defraud. | Shares in the club were suspended at the club's request 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 investigation was focussed on "payments to a football agent and two players dating back to 2002/2003" and involved "the payment, or possible non-payment of PAYE and National Insurance contributions". | It said the investigation was focussed on "payments to a football agent and two players dating back to 2002/2003" and involved "the payment, or possible non-payment of PAYE and National Insurance contributions". |
| 'Complicated tax matter' | 'Complicated tax matter' |
| "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." |
| Officers raided the club last month in what was said to be "an ongoing investigation into football corruption". | Officers raided the club last month in what was said to be "an ongoing investigation into football corruption". |
| As shares resumed trading at 1400 BST, Mr Sullivan said he felt the police statement was "very unfair", adding that they had nothing to hide. | As shares resumed trading at 1400 BST, Mr Sullivan said he felt the police statement was "very unfair", adding that they had nothing to hide. |
| Speaking from his home in Theydon Bois in Essex, he said: "I'm shocked by the whole thing. The police statement was very unfair. This is a complicated tax matter. | Speaking from his home in Theydon Bois in Essex, he said: "I'm shocked by the whole thing. The police statement was very unfair. This is a complicated tax matter. |
| David Sullivan is the club's co-owner | David Sullivan is the club's co-owner |
| "We have absolutely nothing to hide. We have done nothing wrong, and we think in due course this will be proven." | "We have absolutely nothing to hide. We have done nothing wrong, and we think in due course this will be proven." |
| 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. |
| 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 club spokesman said the pair had been interviewed by officers as part of a "longstanding appointment" and they had "happily done so". | A club spokesman said the pair had been interviewed by officers as part of a "longstanding appointment" and they had "happily done so". |
| The 2002/3 season was the club's first in the top flight of English football for 16 years and saw them match their highest finish since 1978. | |
| Seven on bail | Seven on bail |
| 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. |