Hughton vows business as usual at Birmingham

Posted Wednesday, July 06, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (AFP) - Birmingham City manager Chris Hughton is adamant neither his position nor the club's pre-season spending have been compromised by money-laundering charges levelled against owner Carson Yeung.

City major shareholder Yeung faces charges amounting to £57 million ($92m) in his native Hong Kong and has been bailed until August 11.

But former Newcastle coach Hughton has promised "business as normal" as he seeks to get Birmingham back into the English Premier League at the first attempt following their relegation from the lucrative top flight last season.

Hughton, asked about the charges against Yeung, said on Tuesday: "They are very much side issues.

"With the amount of work we need to do on this side, the most important thing is we make sure we've got a good enough squad, that the players train well, that there is great communication between myself and the board.

"Of course, it's news, and we are aware what the news is, but it has to be very much a side issue.

"Any business this club needs to do will, of course, be done and that's just the normal transactions that happen in a pre-season period and it certainly won't bother me."

Hughton added: "I am not thinking, 'What have I done here?' No, absolutely not.

"I've come to a magnificent club and it will be a tremendous challenge this season and it is one I am looking forward to.

"When I came here, I knew exactly what the position was, I knew the consequences of being relegated last season.

"But the events in Hong Kong haven't affected us in the slightest. It is something we are conscious and aware of but business goes on as normal.

"The important side for me is days like today when the players are back in training and they are the important issues.

"It is business as per normal."