Redknapp and Mandaric are bailed after appearing in court on tax evasion charges

Premier League manager Harry Redknapp and former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric faced court on charges of tax evasion yesterday.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Redknapp, 62, and Mandaric, 71, are jointly accused of two counts of cheating the public revenue.

They appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court, in central London, for the first hearing in the prosecution process.

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District Judge Timothy Workman adjourned the case until April 14 and released both men on unconditional bail.

Former Portsmouth manager Redknapp spoke only to confirm his personal details and gave his address as Poole, Dorset.

Mandaric, now chairman of Leicester City, gave his address in court documents as the Walkers Stadium in the city.

Both men appeared in the dock wearing football coach-style navy blue woollen overcoats. The hearing lasted less than 10 minutes.

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It is alleged they evaded tax and National Insurance contributions due between April 1 2002 and November 28 2007.

Mr Workman said the plea and case management hearing would be held at Southwark Crown Court.

The two men were charged last month following an inquiry involving City of London Police and HM Revenue and Customs.

Speaking outside the court, Mandaric’s solicitor Mark Wilson said his client would be “completely vindicated”.

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He said: “We are surprised and extremely disappointed that the authorities have seen fit to prosecute Mr Mandaric.

“Their case against him is misconceived and extremely ill-judged. It should never have been brought and it goes without saying that it will be robustly defended.

“Mr Mandaric has contributed an enormous amount to English football in recent years, first at Portsmouth and now at Leicester City.

“In 40 years of business life, his integrity has never previously been questioned.”

Mr Wilson said he was absolutely confident the prosecution would fail.

Mandaric and Redknapp were driven from court in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes. Redknapp did not comment.