July 17, 2007	Tuesday	Rajab 01, 1428

LONDON, July 16: English Premier League clubs Newcastle United and Portsmouth and Scottish Premier League club Rangers are all involved in a police investigation into corruption in football, the clubs and police confirmed on Monday.

Portsmouth and Rangers both issued statements on Monday confirming that they were among a trio of clubs raided by police earlier in the day.

Northumbria police, meanwhile, confirmed the involvement of Newcastle United. They said they were aware of an operation at St James’ Park, home of the Premier League club.

Portsmouth said in a statement: “We can confirm the police arrived at around 10am this morning. We have co-operated fully with their search and will not be commenting further.”

Scottish Premier League side Rangers said in their statement: “Rangers Football Club was asked to co-operate with a police investigation and have done so, extending every co-operation. We’ve been requested by police not to comment further while the investigation is ongoing.”

All three clubs were searched by police on Monday morning.

Revealing details of the police operation, a City of London police spokesman said: “We can confirm that search warrants were served on three football clubs and the homes of two individuals, between 0730 and 0900 today, in connection with corruption in football and its impact on owners and shareholders.”—Reuters