TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp is refusing to allow accusations of tax evasion overshadow what could be a make-or-break fortnight in his side’s campaign.
The 62-year-old has been charged with two counts of cheating the public revenue, with the move coming at the end of an exhaustive 26-month police and tax inquiry into alleged corruption in English football.
Redknapp, who has been adamant he has done nothing wrong, has previously described the situation as ‘‘farcical’’ and insists he has not been distracted from preparing for two weeks when his Champions League-chasing side face Hull, Liverpool, Fulham and Birmingham in the Premier League and Leeds in the FA Cup.
‘‘I’ve got an awful lot that I’d love to say, believe you me, and when the time is right I will say it but I’ve been advised not to discuss the matter,’’ Redknapp said.
‘‘We’ve got to concentrate on the Hull game. It’s a big game and that is the only thing that is on my mind. It’s got no effect on me to be perfectly honest. I’m ready for the game and looking forward to it. That is about where we are at.
‘‘I’m fine. I don’t know how it started but we’re certainly reaching closure. My mind has not been off football anyway.
The game is what I live for.’’ With last weekend’s trip to Liverpool postponed, Manchester City moved into the top four so the next set of matches will test whether Spurs can keep pace with Roberto Mancini’s men.
Redknapp has been encouraged by five consecutive clean sheets heading into the clash against Phil Brown’s men at White Hart Lane this weekend.
‘‘We’ve got five games coming up in the next 14 days – a really important run,’’ he said. ‘‘Four big league games and leeds in the FA Cup.”
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