adminRedknapp denied prosecution claims that he “desperately” tried to cover up allegations that the £189 000 Monaco payments were bonuses for transfer profits, but he said he gave sports journalist Rob Beasley the wrong information to prevent a story appearing in the Sunday tabloid as Spurs were due to take on Manchester United in the 2009 League Cup final.
Appearing in the stand at Southwark Crown Court for a second day, Redknapp said: “I don’t have to tell Mr Beasley the truth. I have to tell police the truth, not Mr Beasley. He’s a News of the World reporter.”
When asked why he referred to payments as bonuses he was due for the sale of Peter Crouch from Portsmouth to Aston Villa, Redknapp added: “I wanted to make the point to Mr Beasley that it was paid by my chairman.”
He added: “I referred to it to him many times as my Crouch bonus” as “Crouch is an easy answer.” Redknapp continued: “I just wanted to get Mr Beasley out the way — I just didn’t want a story in the paper.” — Daily Mail.
Online Reporter