Redknapp has 'back to the wall'

Jurors hearing Harry Redknapp's tax evasion trial were warned on Friday to "keep their eyes on the ball" when they consider their verdicts.

Last Updated: 03/02/12 at 16:03

Redknapp: Trial drawing towards a conclusion

Redknapp: Trial drawing towards a conclusion

The prosecution alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur manager was "driven with his back to the wall to lie" when he claimed he gave a sports journalist false information about why over £90,000 was paid into his Monaco bank account.

Redknapp, 64, told London's Southwark Crown Court this week that the money was given to him in 2002 by Milan Mandaric, 73, his former boss at Portsmouth Football Club, as an investment that had nothing to do with his employment.

But prosecutor John Black QC urged the jury in a closing speech to conclude that the sum was in fact a bonus paid to Redknapp arising from Portsmouth's profits on the sale of striker Peter Crouch to Aston Villa.

He said tax was "in the nature of the game" in the football industry and Redknapp knew he had to pay it on his income, including any bonuses.

Mr Black told the jury: "You may have little difficulty in concluding that if it was a bonus, no tax was deducted, no tax was paid - and indeed no tax has ever been paid in relation to that bonus as we stand here in 2012."

The trial heard that Redknapp told former News of the World sports reporter Rob Beasley in a taped conversation in 2009 that Mandaric paid the money into his Monaco account as a bonus relating to the sale of Crouch for a £3 million profit.

But in evidence, the manager said he told the journalist the wrong information to prevent a story appearing in the Sunday tabloid as Spurs took on Manchester United in the 2009 League Cup final.

Redknapp told the court on Thursday: "I don't have to tell Mr Beasley the truth. I have to tell police the truth, not Mr Beasley, he's a News of the World reporter."

Mr Black rejected this claim, telling jurors: "Apparently it's all right for Mr Redknapp to lie - 'the difference, I suppose, is I'm on oath here, I wasn't then'.

"In a way he has no choice if he has to run the investment defence. How is he to explain his interview with Mr Beasley? He's driven with his back to the wall to lie."

The prosecutor told the four women and eight men of the jury it was important to "keep one's eye on the ball" and not be influenced by anything in the media about the case.

Redknapp, of Poole, Dorset, and Mandaric, of Oadby, Leicestershire, deny two counts of cheating the public revenue when Redknapp was manager of Portsmouth Football Club.

The first charge of cheating the public revenue alleges that between April 1 2002 and November 28 2007 Mandaric paid 145,000 US dollars (£93,100) into Redknapp's Monaco account.

The second charge for the same offence relates to a sum of 150,000 US dollars (£96,300) allegedly paid between May 1 2004 and November 28 2007.

Mr Black argued that what Redknapp told Mr Beasley was "the most compelling and important evidence" in the case.

He told the jury: "The problem for Mr Redknapp was that he knew perfectly well what was happening, and he in an unguarded moment on a tape with the News of the World journalist told it as it was. That in a sense condemns him from his own mouth."

The prosecutors said jurors had to decide whether Redknapp was unhappy about only getting 5% from the profits of Peter Crouch's sale rather than the 10% he would have received under his original contract with Portsmouth.

Referring to the money paid into the Monaco account, he said: "Was it simply a coincidence that it was £100,000, not that far away from the 5% that Mr Redknapp had lost as a result of the re-negotiated contract?

"Was that a simple coincidence, or is it the case that that money was paid into his account to make up for the shortfall as a bonus?"

Mr Black added: "It may not be popular to say that about a man who is respected in the business, a very good football manager, who has very many qualities.

"The fact is this bonus was paid into an account in Monaco, and no tax was paid on it."

Redknapp, wearing a dark suit with black jumper, sat in the dock listening to Mr Black's speech, at different times yawning, shaking his head at the prosecutor's claims, folding his arms, looking around, blowing out his cheeks and stroking his chin.

Redknapp, who underwent minor heart surgery last year to unblock his arteries, led Portsmouth to FA Cup success and Spurs to last season's Champions League quarter-finals.

Mandaric is now chairman of Sheffield Wednesday, having previously worked at Leicester.

The jurors were sent home until Monday, when they will hear closing speeches from defence lawyers.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

E

xcellent decision, probably one of VERY few footballers who will be remembered as leaving the club after scoring the champions league winning goal with his very last kick! Not many get that tag in football!

sri
Drogba confirms Blues departure

T

his is for the best, his hunger would be in serious question now after winning everything with us. A true Chelsea legend, up there with Osgood and Zola, come back and see us now and then Didier. And as Martin Tyler said on Saturday night....he is immortal at Chelsea. What a way to go out eh....Good luck big man wherever you land next.

Grimupnorth
Drogba confirms Blues departure

O

ne of the many delights of the final few seconds of the season was seeing little Mike Owen with his trackie off and full replica kit on, getting ready to celebrate having contributed NOTHING all season. Would have been on a par with Terry's carry-on in Munich.

wexford blue
Top Ten: Worst Players Of The Season

Footer 365

PL unwilling to discuss future

Norwich boss Paul Lambert refused to be drawn on speculation over the future of Grant Holt and himself following Adam Drury's testimonial.

Hazard 'terms agreed' with trio

Eden Hazard's agent claims terms have been agreed with Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United for the Lille playmaker.

Parker to be checked over

Roy Hodgson will assess the fitness of Scott Parker when the England squad assembles on Wednesday to launch their preparations for Euro 2012.

Mail Box

Does SOS Stand For 'Shame Of Shankly'?

There's embarrassment from Liverpool fans after Spirit Of Shankly's talk of 'chaos' at Anfield. Plus; big-ups for Roberto Martinez, perfect penalties and lots more...

It's Time For Liverpool Fans To Trust FSG

FSG seem to have adopted a scattergun approach to appointing a new manager, but one chap says it's time to trust them. Plus, Spurs fans looking up and saving money...

© 2012 365 Media Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved