Bar codes, pompey and rangers - Police raids
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:27 am
Police have raided Newcastle, Rangers and Portsmouth as part of an "independent" investigation into alleged corruption.
Police insisted the raids were not connected to Lord Stevens' ongoing Quest inquiry into the Premier League.
City of London Police would not disclose which clubs were involved, or their league status, but said search warrants were executed between 7.30am and 9am on Monday.
Northumbria Police later confirmed an "operation" was mounted at St James' Park, the home of Newcastle United.
A City of London Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that search warrants were served at three football clubs and the homes of two individuals in connection with corruption in football and its impact on owners and shareholders.
"This investigation is a totally independent inquiry.
"It has not been influenced or informed by the Quest inquiry in any way.
"As this is a live investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.''
Northumbria Police said all inquiries about Monday's football corruption raids were being handled by City of London Police.
But a spokesman for the North East force said they were aware that "an operation" had been carried out earlier in the day by their London colleagues at St James' Park.
Rangers Football Club confirmed it had been approached by police.
A spokesman for the Ibrox outfit said: "Rangers Football Club was asked to co-operate with the police investigation and have done so, extending every co-operation.
"We have been requested by police not to comment further while the investigation continues.''
Strathclyde Police confirmed that it had assisted the investigation, but did not reveal which club was involved.
A statement said: "Strathclyde Police assisted the City of London Police to execute a search warrant in Strathclyde.''
Gary Double, director of communications at Portsmouth Football Club, also confirmed his club was involved in the investigation.
He said: "We can confirm that the police arrived at about 10am this morning.
"We have co-operated fully with their search and will not be commenting further.''
Police insisted the raids were not connected to Lord Stevens' ongoing Quest inquiry into the Premier League.
City of London Police would not disclose which clubs were involved, or their league status, but said search warrants were executed between 7.30am and 9am on Monday.
Northumbria Police later confirmed an "operation" was mounted at St James' Park, the home of Newcastle United.
A City of London Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that search warrants were served at three football clubs and the homes of two individuals in connection with corruption in football and its impact on owners and shareholders.
"This investigation is a totally independent inquiry.
"It has not been influenced or informed by the Quest inquiry in any way.
"As this is a live investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.''
Northumbria Police said all inquiries about Monday's football corruption raids were being handled by City of London Police.
But a spokesman for the North East force said they were aware that "an operation" had been carried out earlier in the day by their London colleagues at St James' Park.
Rangers Football Club confirmed it had been approached by police.
A spokesman for the Ibrox outfit said: "Rangers Football Club was asked to co-operate with the police investigation and have done so, extending every co-operation.
"We have been requested by police not to comment further while the investigation continues.''
Strathclyde Police confirmed that it had assisted the investigation, but did not reveal which club was involved.
A statement said: "Strathclyde Police assisted the City of London Police to execute a search warrant in Strathclyde.''
Gary Double, director of communications at Portsmouth Football Club, also confirmed his club was involved in the investigation.
He said: "We can confirm that the police arrived at about 10am this morning.
"We have co-operated fully with their search and will not be commenting further.''