Redknapp cleared of charges on tax evasion

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

Redknapp’s acquittal of charges effectively means his path to a possible England national team management job is clear. AP photo

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was found not guilty of tax evasion yesterday following a three-week trial into allegations he stashed hundred of thousands of dollars in an offshore bank account.

Redknapp’s co-accused Milan Mandaric was also unanimously acquitted of all charges in dramatic scenes at a packed Southwark Crown Court.

The most successful English manager currently working in football, Redknapp is regarded as the favorite to replace England boss Fabio Capello later this year with his Spurs side currently third in the Premier League table. Any guilty verdict against Redknapp would have effectively ended his chances of becoming England boss.

Redknapp and Mandaric had denied two counts of cheating the public revenue by failing to declare $295,000 kept in a Monaco bank account. Prosecutors alleged the money was paid to Redknapp by Mandaric when the two men were manager and owner of Portsmouth respectively as part of a bonus arising from the sale of Peter Crouch.