Sullivan was arrested and released on bail by City of London police

Birmingham City co-owner David Sullivan has criticised City of London police after being arrested as part of an investigation into football corruption.

Sullivan has told BBC's Inside Sport programme that he felt personally violated by the police's actions.

"While they were questioning me, they sneakily sent teams here with search warrants to turn my house upside down," he said.

"It makes you feel like you have been invaded or almost rather raped really."

Sullivan, 59, was arrested along with the club's managing director Karren Brady earlier this month and both were later released on bail.

Birmingham, who are battling against relegation from the Premier League, have said the matter related to tax and national insurance payments, while the police have said the arrests were made as part of their "ongoing investigation into football corruption".

The pair were questioned in connection with allegations of false accounting and conspiracy to defraud.

It was a publicity stunt by the police. It was a PR exercise David Sullivan

Blues' co-owner added that he would have happily co-operated with police but is unhappy with the treatment he received while in custody.

"They downloaded my computer and searched the house for any documents that might help their case," he stated.

"To be honest, they could have happily come here without a search warrant when I was here and I would have shown them anything.

"They didn't need a search warrant. I am a very open person and I would have happily let them download anything from my computer.

"I have got a lot of personal stuff on there, you really don't want them to know your entire private life.

"You do start to feel it's like Russia or China and they (the police) will be having a chuckle at some of the stuff they have read, I'm sure. It's not very nice."

Sullivan also questioned the motives behind the arrests.

"Also, why was it made public? It was a publicity stunt by the police. It was a PR exercise," he continued.

"They promised us that they would not issue details of it and then they issue a statement saying they have arrested a 59-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman and you don't have to be the crossword king to work out who that is. So, we feel very badly let down."

In a statement issued to the BBC, City of London police said they were "disappointed" that issues relating to the matter have been made public.

"A total of nine people have been arrested in the course of the Force's ongoing investigation," read the statement. "All remain on bail.

"We are disappointed that several people have chosen to discuss this complex and long-running investigation with the media.

"Bearing in mind that criminal proceedings are active, it is clearly inappropriate for City of London Police to comment further at present."

Watch the full interview with David Sullivan on BBC One's Inside Sport, Monday, 21 April at 2305 BST.