Police have raided the homes of brothers Zdravko and Zoran
Mamic, officials of Croatia's largest club and two of the nation's most
powerful soccer people.
The search has been ordered by the Croatian agency fighting
corruption and organised crime (Uskok) in connection with tax evasion
suspicions, the Mamics confirmed in a statement released by Dinamo Zagreb on
Thursday.
"Croatian public knows that control has been ongoing
for years ... of course we will co-operate, as a club and as individuals,"
they said.
Elder brother Zdravko is the chairman of Dinamo with the
team coached by the younger sibling.
Uskok meanwhile said it was carrying out an investigation on
suspicion of bribery, tax evasion and other violations by Dinamo officials,
without naming anyone.
The Mamic brothers dismissed the accusations as
"totally groundless constructions".
The brothers were with the team at a camp in the
neighbouring Slovenia at the time of the raid. They said they will continue
working regularly.
Zdravko Mamic, 55, has frequently been in media focus over
allegations of manipulation and verbal, often vulgar, clashes with critics,
including reporters.
The less exposed Zoran, 43, is a former Croatian
international who played for Dinamo and Bundesliga sides Bochum, Bayer
Leverkusen and other German clubs.
The brothers are believed to wield huge influence over
domestic football, including the promotion and transfer of players nationally
and internationally.
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