Blues co-owner critical of arrest

Mr Sullivan said it had been a "bad week"

The co-owner of Birmingham City FC has criticised police for the way they handled his arrest and questioning into payments to an agent and two players.

David Sullivan and managing director Karren Brady were arrested on Wednesday by City of London Police. They were later released on bail.

The club said the matter related to tax and national insurance payments.

Mr Sullivan said he was upset the arrests could be linked with an inquiry into alleged 'bungs' in football.

The City of London Police, who carried out the questioning, said earlier this week it was part of their "ongoing investigation into football corruption".

The pair were arrested over allegations of false accounting and conspiracy to defraud.

The club said in a statement previously that there was "absolutely no allegation" that any director of the company or the club itself had benefited financially from any activity.

Mr Sullivan made his comments as he arrived to see the club play Everton at its St Andrews ground on Saturday.

'Bad, bad day'

The two clubs drew 1-1 in the game.

Mr Sullivan said: "It's a PAYE matter over two foreign players we signed in 2002.

"I think the 'conspiracy to defraud' puts in the minds of supporters an allegation that someone at the club has had money they are not entitled to.

"There is no allegation of that nature and I wish the police had made that clear."

Shares in the club were suspended at the club's request on Thursday morning following the arrests.

They resumed trading several hours later.

Mr Sullivan added: "It is a bad, bad day and a bad week.

"But if we get a result today it's not such a bad week."

He added he "hoped" the club would be able to avoid relegation this season.

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