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Birmingham co-owner criticize police handling
England - 14 April, 2008
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The loud sound of squealing police cars at English Birmingham City last Wednesday, end ups with no charges.
David Sullivan and Karren Brady questioning is the latest in a series of Police arrests and raids, all part of an "ongoing investigation into football corruption".
Last November, it was Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie and manager Harry Redknapp who were investigated, two months after Tottenham's defender Pascal Chimbonda had brough in for questioning. The police have also searched Newcastle, Portsmouth and Scottish Rangers.
The Birmingham investigation is focused on tax and national insurance payments, in a case of a football agent and two players dating back to 02/03 season. There were no allegation that any director or the club itself have benefited financially from this activity.
Sullivan has criticized the City of London Police for the way they handled his arrest and questioning, and was upset the arrests were linked to the Stevens inquiry.
"I'm shocked by the whole thing. The police statement was very unfair. This is a complicated tax matter", Sullivan told the FAN FC.
"We have absolutely nothing to hide. We have done nothing wrong, and we think in due course this will be proven."
"I think the 'conspiracy to defraud' puts in the minds of supporters an allegation that someone at the club has had money they are not entitled to," Sullivan told the BBC.
"There is no allegation of that nature and I wish the police had made that clear."
The club's shares trade in the London Stock Excange were suspended at the club's request on Thursday morning, but resumed trading several hours later.
David Sullivan and Karren Brady questioning is the latest in a series of Police arrests and raids, all part of an "ongoing investigation into football corruption".
Last November, it was Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie and manager Harry Redknapp who were investigated, two months after Tottenham's defender Pascal Chimbonda had brough in for questioning. The police have also searched Newcastle, Portsmouth and Scottish Rangers.
The Birmingham investigation is focused on tax and national insurance payments, in a case of a football agent and two players dating back to 02/03 season. There were no allegation that any director or the club itself have benefited financially from this activity.
Sullivan has criticized the City of London Police for the way they handled his arrest and questioning, and was upset the arrests were linked to the Stevens inquiry.
"I'm shocked by the whole thing. The police statement was very unfair. This is a complicated tax matter", Sullivan told the FAN FC.
"We have absolutely nothing to hide. We have done nothing wrong, and we think in due course this will be proven."
"I think the 'conspiracy to defraud' puts in the minds of supporters an allegation that someone at the club has had money they are not entitled to," Sullivan told the BBC.
"There is no allegation of that nature and I wish the police had made that clear."
The club's shares trade in the London Stock Excange were suspended at the club's request on Thursday morning, but resumed trading several hours later.
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