Redknapp arrested in corruption probe
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp was one of five men arrested on Wednesday by detectives investigating corruption in the sport.
The club's chief executive, Peter Storrie, was also arrested during the series of raids across the UK, a spokesman said.
Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric, Rangers midfielder Amdy Faye and football agent Willie McKay were also arrested, it was widely reported on Wednesday.
City of London Police interviewed the men after arresting them on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting. Up to 60 officers were involved in searches at eight addresses at locations across the UK including Redknapp's luxury home in Poole, Dorset.
The raids were the most dramatic development yet in an ongoing inquiry by fraud detectives to root out corruption in the national game. Last year the FA brought in former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens and his company, Quest, to carry out a separate inquiry into suspect transfers.
City of London Police would only confirm the ages of the arrested men - 69, 60, 55, 48 and 30. Detectives are believed to be focussing on Faye's transfers from Auxerre to Portsmouth in August 2003 and Portsmouth to Newcastle in January 2005.
Mandaric was Portsmouth chairman at the time of his arrival to and departure from the south coast club. McKay is believed to have been his agent. Redknapp was Portsmouth manager when Faye arrived in 2003. The player has since signed for Charlton and joined Rangers on a season-long loan in August.
A Pompey spokesman said: "Portsmouth Football Club can confirm that chief executive Peter Storrie and manager Harry Redknapp have today been asked to help police with their inquiries concerning a matter dating back to 2003.
"This was prior to the new owner taking control of the club at the beginning of 2006. The club is fully supportive of Peter and Harry who are co-operating fully with City of London Police in this ongoing inquiry. Both are playing major roles in the continued success of Portsmouth Football Club."
A City of London Police spokeswoman said: "Five men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting as part of an ongoing investigation into football corruption."
