Joe Lewis guilty plea ‘well apart’ from Tottenham – BBC Sport pundit
Paul Robinson doesn’t expect Joe Lewis’ guilty plea for insider trading in the US to have a negative effect on Tottenham.
The billionaire former Spurs owner no longer has “significant control” over the club, although his family trust does still hold a majority stake in the holding company that operates Tottenham Hotspur Football Club according to BBC News (24 January).
The 86-year-old pleaded guilty in an American court to conspiracy and securities fraud as part of a deal with prosecutors last month.
But while ex-England and Spurs keeper Robinson admits he isn’t “au fait” with the entire situation he sees it as separate from the club’s affairs.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News the BBC Sport pundit said: “As far as I’m aware it’s not related to the club, but I don’t know.
“I’m not au fait with the situation financially, but as far as I’m aware I don’t think anything is related to football or the football club.
“So you would like to think that’s kept well separate, and well apart.”
Lewis insider trading not a Tottenham concern
Clearly the whole affair is not a good look for Lewis and Spurs’ links to him are well-known, but Tottenham aren’t connected to the guilty plea itself or the offence, despite it reportedly relating to a period between 2013 and 2021 when he was still in control.
There have been instances at Chelsea and Everton where owners or major investors have been sanctioned by the UK government, causing major upheaval at Stamford Bridge and Goodison Park.
But it seems unlikely that the recent development with Lewis would have a material effect on the current situation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the finances are going from strength to strength.
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