Pompey chief surprise over charge

Peter Storrie says he will use "all available means" to fight the charge

Portsmouth Football Club's chief executive has said he is "astonished" over plans to charge him with cheating the public revenue.

Peter Storrie was arrested in 2007 on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting.

He believes the charge relates to the transfer of Amdy Faye from French club Auxerre to Portsmouth in 2003.

HM Revenues and Customs said it intended to charge Mr Storrie, but the details are yet to be finalised.

A spokesperson added: "We have notified his legal representatives that we have taken the decision that we will charge.

"Specific charges and dates are to follow."

Mr Storrie said in a statement he was "confident that he will be exonerated".

'Defend the allegations'

The statement, issued on his behalf said: "Mr Storrie would like to place on record his astonishment at the decision that has been made to charge him with an offence of cheating the public revenue, and bewilderment as to how such a conclusion could be reached concerning the transfer of the player Amdy Faye to Portsmouth Football Club.

"At the time negotiations to acquire this player were concluded, Mr Storrie was on honeymoon and was not directly concerned in the agreement that was reached regarding Faye's acquisition."

The statement said he was confident he would be cleared of any suggestion anything untoward took place concerning any transfer dealings in which he was concerned.

"Mr Storrie now welcomes the opportunity he will have of clearing himself of these allegations to ensure that his unblemished 20-year reputation in football management remains untarnished.

"He will use all available means to bring these proceedings to their proper conclusion as swiftly as possible."

'Respected figure'

Portsmouth FC also released a statement.

"The owner, Ali Al Faraj, the executive board and senior management of Portsmouth Football Club remain fully supportive of the club's chief executive officer Peter Storrie," it said.

"The club has been fully co-operative with all enquiries from all parties.

"We will help in any way possible in assisting Peter to defend the allegations and to help clear Peter's name at the earliest possible opportunity.

"Peter Storrie has been a respected figure in football for 20 years and a key figure in the rise of Portsmouth Football Club in becoming an established Premier League club during his seven years' service."