The Tottenham Hotspur manager is accused of setting up an account in Monaco, in his dog Rosie’s name no less, in order to receive untaxed “bungs”, bribes, from his then boss former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric.
Redknapp vehemently denies the charges, and yesterday expressed outrage when accused of lying to Southwark Crown Court where he is being tried for tax fraud. During cross-examination, Redknapp admitted he had lied to News of the World journalist Rob Beasley “to get him off my back” when he told him money had been paid by Mandaric to the Monaco account as a “bonus” for the sale of Peter Crouch from Portsmouth to Aston Villa in 2002.
According to various media reports, Redknapp became quite emotional in court at times during the past week’s court sessions, at one point turning on prosecutor John Black QC and saying: “You think I put my hand on the Bible and told lies. That’s an insult Mr Black…I told no lies. I don’t do that.”
Tensions had risen the day before, when Redknapp took to the stand for the first time. Breaking off from answering a question put to him by his defence counsel John Kelsey Fry QC, Redknapp reportedly shouted across the courtroom at police officer David Manley, who he believed was staring at him.
He is reported to of then said: “I know you are trying to cause me a problem, OK?”
Rednkapp’s co-defendant was also less-than-flattering on Tuesday when he gave evidence, describing the respected football manager as a “moaner”.
Mandaric was being questioned about payments he made to the Monaco account, Rosie47, and said that he and Redknapp disputed whether the manager was owed 5% or 10% bonus for the sale of Crouch.
Mandaric apparently told the court of that sale: “He’s a moaner. He moans about it.”
The court had already been told of a $145,000 (£92,000, £110,000) payment Mandaric made to the account, which he described as “seed” money to help Redknapp begin building an investment portfolio.
The trial continues, with the jury expected to be sent out next Tuesday.
