Rangers aiding 'corruption' probe

Rangers said they were co-operating with police

Football club Rangers is working with police carrying out an investigation into alleged corruption in football, the club has confirmed.

Newcastle United and Portsmouth are believed to be the other two clubs visited as part of the City of London Police inquiry.

Detectives said the investigation was separate to Lord Stevens' ongoing Quest inquiry into the Premiership.

A Rangers spokeswoman said the club had given police "every co-operation".

Search warrants were executed on three football club premises and two homes between 0730 and 0900 BST.

'Every co-operation'

A City of London Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that search warrants were served at three football clubs and the homes of two individuals in connection with corruption in football and its impact on owners and shareholders."

A Northumbria Police spokesman said they were aware that "an operation" had been carried out by their London colleagues at St James' Park, the home of Newcastle United.

Strathclyde Police confirmed that it had helped the investigation, but did not say which club had been involved.

It said: "Strathclyde Police assisted the City of London Police to execute a search warrant in Strathclyde."

'Visited by police'

A spokeswoman for Rangers said: "Rangers Football Club was asked to co-operate with a police investigation and have done so, extending every co-operation to police.

"We have been requested by police not to comment further while the investigation is on-going."

Portsmouth FC later confirmed that the club had been visited by police at about 1000 BST.

"We have co-operated fully with their search and will not be commenting further," said the club.