Dinamo Club Chiefs Face Charges in Croatia

Croatia's Office for suppression of corruption and organized crime, USKOK, on Wednesday raided the homes and office of the bosses of the Zagreb football club, Dinamo.

They said they suspect the club president, Zdravko Mamic, and manager Zoran Mamic of tax evasion, bribery and other unspecified criminal acts.

Former Dinamo director Damir Vrbanovic and an unidentified member of the tax administration who allegedly helped them evade tax, are also under investigation.

The two Mamic brothers and Vrbanovic are being investigated over criminal charges filed by the finance ministry and USKOK. They are accused of using the famous football club to evade paying taxes and committing other crimes.

The Mamic brothers are currently out of the country at a football camp in Slovenia. USKOK said they faced arrest once they return.

Interior minister Ranko Ostojic said the Mamic brothers should respond to the call for interrogation by the police as soon as possible, otherwise Croatia will file a European arrest warrant against them.

After the raids, the Mamic brothers published a formal response on the club's website, proclaiming their innocence.

They called the charges "absolutely meaningless and constructed" and said they were confident they could prove the legality of their actions.

"We are sure that we have not and never will defile the holy name of Dinamo, or ourselves personally, or our families," the statement concluded.

Zdravko Mamic, executive president of Dinamo for more than 12 years is a controversial figure.

In statements and appearances he has often insulted other public figures, ethnic and sexual minority groups and journalists.

In November 2010, he said homosexuals had no place in football as they were...