Police raid Birmingham headquarters
The ongoing investigation into corruption in football targets Midlands club.
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| Birmingham players are currently locked in a relegation battle [GALLO/GETTY] |
British police have raided Premier League club Birmingham as part of an investigation into football corruption.
City of London Police said that they visited Birmingham early in the morning to execute a search warrant, but did not give further details.
Birmingham said that it was cooperating with police, but that the inquiries “relate to an unconnected third party or third parties.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, no one connected with the club has been questioned or arrested,” Birmingham said in a statement.
Police have been investigating kickbacks in English football for the past two years.
Their inquiries have not led to any convictions despite media reports that corruption is rife with managers, club officials and agents receiving or paying kickbacks relating to the transfer of players.
The highest profile arrest so far was that of Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp in November.
He was questioned by police, and then released on bail.
In July, police searched the offices of Portsmouth and Newcastle and Scottish club Rangers, along with the homes of two people, as part of the investigation.
Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda was also questioned.