Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp in court on tax charges

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has appeared in City of Westminster Magistrates' court charged with two counts of tax evasion.

Mr Redknapp, 62, is charged with cheating the public revenue of about £40,000 when he was Portsmouth manager.

Ex-Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric, 71, now Leicester City chairman, appeared charged with a similar offence.

Neither entered a plea and both were released on unconditional bail. The case is adjourned until 14 April.

Mr Redknapp, who arrived in a black Mercedes, made no comment to waiting reporters.

He has previously said of the situation: "I've got an awful lot I'd love to say and when the time is right I will say it but I've been advised not to discuss the matter."

Mr Redknapp was in court for a first hearing to organise administrative details of his trial. Neither defendant has entered a plea.

'Non-football matter'

The charges relate to Mr Redknapp's time as Portsmouth manager and concern two payments totalling US $295,000 (£189,000) allegedly made by Mr Mandaric to him via a Monaco account.

Mr Redknapp is accused of evading tax and national insurance contributions between 1 April 2002 and 28 November 2007.

Mr Mandaric owned the football club at the time.

Tottenham Hotspur have said the case will not affect Mr Redknapp's employment because it was a private, non-football matter and pre-dated his tenure at the club.

Since taking over at Tottenham last season, Mr Redknapp has steered the club from the threat of relegation to contention for European qualification.

Portsmouth are mired in financial difficulties and have been unable to pay players on several occasions.

Both men will appear next at Southwark Crown court.

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