Redknapp faces tax evasion trial

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp will face trial for tax evasion next year, it can now be reported for the first time.

Redknapp, 64, tipped as a future England manager, is accused of two counts of cheating the public revenue between specific dates in 2002 and 2007 when he was manager of Portsmouth. He is accused alongside the then Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric.

The first charge alleges that between 1 April, 2002, and 28 November, 2007, Mandaric paid US$145,000 (£90,000) into a bank account held by Redknapp in Monaco, to avoid paying income tax and national insurance. The second charge for the same offence relates to a sum of $150,000 (£93,000) allegedly paid by Mandaric to the same account between 1 May, 2004, and 28 November, 2007.

Both men deny the charges and a two-week trial is due to begin in London on 23 January.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC ruled on Thursday that a ban on reporting details of the proceedings could be lifted at 2.30pm yesterday. Redknapp underwent surgery earlier this month to unblock his arteries, and has missed a number of Spurs games while he recovers.