Ex-Portsmouth chairman charged with tax evasion over payment via Monaco account

Milan Mandaric was charged in relation to the payment of 295,000 dollars to another person via a bank account in Monaco, evading the tax and national insurance contributions due between April 1, 2002 and November 28, 2007, the CPS said.

He will appear at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on February 11.

In a statement, the CPS said: "Milan Mandaric, the former chairman of Portsmouth Football Club, has today been charged with two counts of cheating the public revenue following a decision by the CPS Revenue and Customs Division.

"Following a thorough investigation by HM Revenue and Customs and the City of London Police, the CPS decided there was sufficient evidence and it was in the public interest to charge Mr Mandaric with two counts of cheating the public revenue.

"The charges are in relation to the payment of 295,000 dollars from Mr Mandaric to another via a bank account in Monaco, evading the tax and national insurance contributions due between April 1 2002 and November 28 2007.

Leicester City chairman Mandaric, 71, was one of five men arrested by City of London Police in November 2007 in a continuing inquiry by fraud detectives to root out alleged corruption in football.

Earlier yesterday, Mandaric's former club, Portsmouth, said efforts were being made to repay debts at the financially-troubled club following two recent changes in ownership.

The Premier League is considering whether to withhold the latest chunk of television money, around 7m, to cover unpaid transfer fees, believed to be around 10m.

But executive director Mark Jacob said Saudi businessman Ali Al Faraj, whose investment has so far enabled Portsmouth to stay afloat and avoid administration, despite paying players' salaries late more than once, can take the club forwards.