As widely reported, Haigh’s period of detention was extended by 15 days on Monday following claims by Leeds’s previous majority owners, Gulf Finance House Capital (GFH), that he fabricated at least 55 invoices, revealed in documents from the Dubai International Financial Centre.
But Haigh, who was detained on 18 May as he arrived in Dubai for talks about a supposed new position at GFH, released a statement through his spokesperson claiming he was lured to Dubai through “subterfuge” and is currently preparing a counterclaim.
The statement said: “David is clear that many of the signatures purporting to be his may be forgeries.
“He is also aware that, during the period in question, others had access to his emails and that it would have been inconceivable for the expenditure of the sort of sums of money set out in the GFH claim to have been signed off without the express knowledge of other senior people at GFH.
“David is preparing a counterclaim against GFH for monies owed to him and which are in excess of the amount of the claim made against him by GFH.”
The statement went on to clarify that, despite his detainment, he has “no quarrel” with Dubai’s authorities.
Criminal charges have yet to be brought against Haigh, who was a large player in GFH’s purchase of Leeds in 2012.
GFH said they were aware that Haigh’s detainment had been extended but refused to respond to his claims.
In a statement, the investment bank said: “GFH Capital does not consider it appropriate to comment on vague and unparticularised allegations made in press announcements which Mr Haigh has not to date attempted to detail or substantiate.”
The episode follows a voluntary interview Haigh attended in May with West Yorkshire Police as part of an investigation into the installation of surveillance equipment at Elland Road, Leeds United’s football ground.
He admitted to overseeing the installation of cameras in the club’s boardroom, which became a police matter following allegations that it may have been funded as a result of a misappropriation of club funds.
