Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp was accused yesterday of an estimated £40,000 tax evasion. The 62-year-old was charged with two counts of cheating the public revenue.

The charges concern two payments, totalling 295,000 US dollars  from former Portsmouth  chairman Milan Mandaric to Redknapp, allegedly evading tax and National Insurance contributions.

Redknapp’s arrest was part of a wider inquiry, called Operation Apprentice, by the City of London Police and HM Revenue and Customs into alleged football corruption. He was held in November 2007 by investigators examining a number of transfer deals at his former club, Portsmouth, and at Birmingham City.

An un-named source was heard to say on hearing the news: “What next? PAYE on the contents of brown paper bags?  Tax on expenses for meetings in Service stations? Have things gone mad?”

Rumours that Tottenham Hotspur‘s entire future transfer plans have been shelved are unfounded. Meanwhile, sales of brown bags have slumped.