Source: Daily_Mail
Harry and Mandaric must return to court to face tax evasion charges
Premier League manager Harry Redknapp and former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric arrived in court to face charges of tax evasion today - and immediately saw the case adjourned until April.[LNB] Tottenham boss Redknapp, 62, and current Leicester chairman Mandaric, 71, are jointly accused of two counts of cheating the public revenue.[LNB] Taxing affair: Harry Redknapp (left) and Milan Mandaric arrive at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London this morning to face tax evasion charges[LNB]They appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, in central London, for the first hearing in the prosecution process.[LNB]District Judge Timothy Workman adjourned the case until April 14 and released both men on unconditional bail.[LNB]VIDEO: Redknapp in court...[LNB]Redknapp spoke only to confirm his personal details and gave his address as Poole, Dorset. Mandaric gave his address in court documents as the Walkers Stadium inLeicester.[LNB]Both men leaned forward to listen to the hearing, which last less than 10 minutes. [LNB] Happy days: Mandaric and Redknapp during better times at Portsmouth[LNB]The charges concern two payments, totalling £183,000, from Mandaric toRedknapp via a bank account in Monaco, allegedly evading the tax andNational Insurance contributions due between April 1 2002 and November28 2007.[LNB]Mr Workman said the plea and case management hearing will be held at Southwark Crown Court.[LNB]The two men were charged last month following an inquiry involving City of London Police and HM Revenue and Customs.[LNB]Former Pompey manager Redknapp and Mandaric, now owner of Leicester City, both deny any wrong-doing.[LNB]Walk on by: Tottenham boss Redknapp refused to comment as he left the court following a 10-minute hearing[LNB]Speaking outside the court, Mandaric's solicitor Mark Wilson said his client will be "completely vindicated".[LNB]He said: 'We are surprised and extremely disappointed that the authorities have seen fit to prosecute Mr Mandaric.[LNB]'Their case against him is misconceived and extremely ill-judged. It should never have been brought and it goes without saying that it will be robustly defended.[LNB]'Mr Mandaric has contributed an enormous amount to English football in recent years, first at Portsmouth and now at Leicester City. In 40 years of business life, his integrity has never previously been questioned.[LNB]'To put it mildly, it is a matter of very great regret that the tax authorities have sought, so recklessly, to malign him now. However, we are absolutely confident that this prosecution will fail.[LNB]'Mr Mandaric looks forward to emerging from these proceedings completely vindicated and with his reputation for honesty and integrity completely untouched.'[LNB]Mandaric and Redknapp were driven from court, where a large press pack had gathered, in a chaffeur-driven Mercedes. Redknapp did not comment.[LNB] 'Insolvent' Portsmouth given a week to live at High Court showdownPortsmouth D-Day: Crisis club fighting for their future at the High CourtEx-Portsmouth owner Mandaric vows to clear his name over tax chargesPremier League manager Harry Redknapp charged with £40,000 tax evasionTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC
