Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp will face trial for tax evasion early next year, it can be reported for the first time.
Tottenham boss on trial over tax evasion charges
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will face trial for tax evasion next year, it can be reported for the first time.
The Spurs boss, tipped as the leading candidate to be the next England manager, is accused of two counts of cheating the public revenue between specific dates in 2002 and 2007 when he was at the helm of Portsmouth.
He is accused alongside former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric.
The first charge alleges that between April 1, 2002, and November 28, 2007, Mandaric paid 145,000 US dollars into a bank account held by Redknapp in Monaco, to avoid paying income tax and national insurance.
The second charge for the same offence relates to a sum of 150,000 US dollars allegedly paid by Mandaric to the same account between May 1, 2004, and November 28, 2007.
Deny
Both men deny the charges and a two-week trial is due to begin at London's Southwark Crown Court on January 23.
Judge Anthony Leonard QC ruled on Thursday afternoon that a ban on reporting details of the proceedings could be lifted at 2.30pm on Saturday.
Redknapp, 64, underwent minor heart surgery earlier this month to unblock his arteries, and has missed a number of Spurs games while he recovers.
He was hoping to return to the touchline within two weeks, but said recently he had been advised by doctors to stay away for four or five.
