Milan Mandaric, the chairman of Leicester City is to face legal proceedings for alleged tax evasion from HM Revenue and Customs. The allegations date from his period as Portsmouth chairman from 1998 to 2006. He will face charges of ‘cheating the public revenue’ alongside Spurs manager Harry Redknapp who was in charge of the Portsmouth first team at the time. Mandaric strenuously denies the allegations.
Milan Mandaric, the chairman of Leicester City is to face legal proceedings for alleged tax evasion from HM Revenue and Customs. The allegations date from his period as Portsmouth chairman from 1998 to 2006. He will face charges of ‘cheating the public revenue’ alongside Spurs manager Harry Redknapp who was in charge of the Portsmouth first team at the time. Mandaric strenuously denies the allegations. A statement issued by his solicitors Cartwright King read: ‘Milan Mandaric is astounded and dismayed that proceedings are to be brought by HMRC in the new year alleging a connection with unpaid tax on a personal payment he made to Harry Redknapp in 2002. These will be vigorously defended. During a two-year investigation he has fully cooperated and has strenuously denied any wrongdoing. Expert tax advice has confirmed that Mr Mandaric has no tax liability. The decision of HMRC to bring proceedings is very surprising.’
The statement went on to outline the essential unfairness of bringing such a proceeding against someone with an unsullied reputation who has contributed millions of pounds to the nation’s finances: ‘Through a successful and respected 45-year international career he has gained an impeccable reputation and has never been accused of the slightest wrongdoing, nor had his integrity called into question. Over the last 10 years in English football, the clubs that Mr Mandaric has invested in have employed hundreds of people and paid millions of pounds in taxes to HMRC.’
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