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Owls fans rejoice at Mandaric verdict
WEDNESDAY fans today said it was time for the Owls to move forward after club chairman Milan Mandaric was cleared of tax fiddling charges.
Mr Mandaric and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who were jointly charged with tax evasion, were acquitted on all charges at London’s Southwark Crown Court yesterday.
The verdict blew the final whistle on a five-year £8 million police investigation which failed to yield a single conviction.
The Owlstalk fans forum was full of messages of support for Mr Mandaric within minutes of yesterday’s verdict.
Forum owner Neil Hargreaves said: “The case must have been on Mr Mandaric’s mind for some time. And, who knows, this may have had a knock-on effect on the club.
“How many players have we put off from signing because of the situation and the effect a guilty verdict would have had on the club’s finances?”
Nigel Short, chairman of fans’ group Wednesdayite, said: “The verdict is what we all expected.
“I think the HMRC inspectors who brought this case to court should concentrate on the many fat cats who really do avoid paying tax.
“Wednesdayites are delighted at the outcome and perhaps now we - fans and club - can all move on together.”
John Hemmingham, leader of the Wednesday band, added: “As a Wednesdayite I’m so glad and relieved it’s all over.
“But the court case ever coming about beggars belief really. Both Milan and Harry Redknapp are extremely rich men. Why would they avoid paying a bit of tax like this when they pay tax on so much already?”
The news was applauded by former Wednesday director and ex-Bassetlaw MP Joe Ashton - who said the case should never have got to court.
He said: “Milan Mandaric seems a decent bloke and has brought a lot to the game of football.
“He said all along that the taxman hadn’t got a case and that was proved to be so.
“But how much has this all cost?
“Millions of pounds spent to bring a case to court for no other reason than for barristers and solicitors to get fat courtesy of the taxpayer.
“Heads should roll for this. The people who brought this about need to be brought to book.”
Mr Mandaric said his court ordeal had been a ‘horrible dream’ but that he always had faith in the British justice system.
The 73-year-old Serbian-born millionaire said he now wants to concentrate on Wednesday winning games.
He added: “I would rather not talk much now. I’ve got to go somewhere to try to pinch myself and wake me up from that horrible dream that I had.”
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Comments
There are 10 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
sensei
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:39 AMIf the British tax system didn't cripple people who actually WORK for a living and then give it all away to idle thick knobheads who don't work, there would be no reason for tax evasion would there?
PaulSheffield
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 03:17 PM@8 and the problem with that is ??
geronwiyit
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:16 AMspeaking as someone who finds football the most boring sport on the planet, thanks to them being able to afford top flight barristers, they got away with it. They also have accountants, so they know exactly what was happening with their money
swfc
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:42 AMsimples, the best thing is when the no b from hmrc said this goes as a warning to all people avoiding tax in the uk! this is the same people who spent millions chasing eighty grand! all from a tip off from a news of the world reporter, what a joke old boys school network that because of the eu are not able to do their job as it needs doing, they chased the case as a publicity stunt in the hope they would win, the amount of people watching the case who will have paid up goes further than the millions it's cost, proven by the statement by the no b after the case, nobody told him that it was a not guilty verdict, as the lesson here is grasses are what hmrc need to get a result..........
Honolulu Wednesday 1867
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:19 AMNow that Milan Mandaric and 'Arry' are bessie mates again, maybe he could send G Megson to Spurs to show them how to play proper football,and get 'Arry' to come to us to learn how footie should be played.
joseramirez
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:06 AMJoe Ashton? Hmmmmmm.
lanzarote owl
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:56 AMHandsworth don´t worry too much, A football club free of any debt,Massive core support, Massive potential, in an automatic promotion place will be snapped up. Although I would like Milan to carry on and finish the fantastic job he has started.
ISeeEverything
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:48 AMOwls fans rejoice that someone else will continue to fund their hobby.
malblue
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:25 AMSue em all MM !! Onwards and upwards WTID, UTO
handsworth
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:17 AMI read some reports on the internet about Mr Mandaric which did not cheer me He is reported to have said he is now going to have a long think about his relationship with football If he comes to the conclusion to give football a miss either for good or for a lengthy period of time that is not good for the Owls Let us hope that this will not happen
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