Swiss probe Chelsea deal
From correspondents in Geneva
January 11, 2006
CLAUDE Makelele's transfer to Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2003 is under scrutiny as part of a money-laundering inquiry.
Switzerland judge Marc Tappolet, who is investigating the bankruptcy of local club Servette Geneva, confirmed overnight the opening of the inquiry which first surfaced in Le Parisien newspaper in France.
According to the newspaper, 78-year-old Georges Philippe was suspected by Swiss investigators of drawing up three false receipts for a total of 2.5 million euros ($4 million) during the Makelele transfer as a justification for a commission.
Switzerland's Alexander Frei, who plays for France first division club Rennes, has also been included in the investigation, according to the Parisien.
Philippe is the third person to be charged in the investigation of the bankruptcy of Servette at the start of last year, together with former club boss Marc Roger from France and administrator Olivier Maus.
Philippe denied the accusations.
"My client will tell the judge all that needs to be known to show that this is a false line of inquiry," said his lawyer.
Agence France-Presse
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17789593-29437,00.html
From correspondents in Geneva
January 11, 2006
CLAUDE Makelele's transfer to Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2003 is under scrutiny as part of a money-laundering inquiry.
Switzerland judge Marc Tappolet, who is investigating the bankruptcy of local club Servette Geneva, confirmed overnight the opening of the inquiry which first surfaced in Le Parisien newspaper in France.
According to the newspaper, 78-year-old Georges Philippe was suspected by Swiss investigators of drawing up three false receipts for a total of 2.5 million euros ($4 million) during the Makelele transfer as a justification for a commission.
Switzerland's Alexander Frei, who plays for France first division club Rennes, has also been included in the investigation, according to the Parisien.
Philippe is the third person to be charged in the investigation of the bankruptcy of Servette at the start of last year, together with former club boss Marc Roger from France and administrator Olivier Maus.
Philippe denied the accusations.
"My client will tell the judge all that needs to be known to show that this is a false line of inquiry," said his lawyer.
Agence France-Presse
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17789593-29437,00.html
