Dubai: David Haigh, the former managing director of Leeds United football club, is being questioned by Dubai prosecutors over alleged financial irregularities of more than Dh23 million, Gulf News learnt on Thursday.

Haigh, a British national, was arrested on May 19. His provisional detention has been extended till May 25. He has denied all the charges.

Dubai prosecutors are questioning Haigh over reported breach of trust and swindling funds [Dh20 million-Dh30 million or more] from Gulf Finance House (GFH) Capital during his tenure as deputy executive manager.

GFH’s lawyer Ayman Merdas, of Global Advocates and Legal Consultants, confirmed to Gulf News that they filed a criminal and civil complaint against Haigh.

“We lodged a lawsuit against the suspect for alleged embezzlement, swindling and breach of trust at Bur Dubai Police Station. Currently the suspect is in provisional detention and being questioned over primary charges of embezzling millions of dirhams,” Merdas, who preferred not to give further details while the investigation is on, said.

A senior prosecutor confirmed to Gulf News that “the suspect was detained on May 19. His provisional detention has been extended until May 25. He has not been officialy charged pending further investigations. Haigh has pleaded not guilty and strongly refuted the claimant’s accusations and allegation describing them as unfounded”.

GFH Capital is a bank that offers banking and financial services as per a licence obtained by Dubai International Financial Centre.

Haigh worked for GFH as a deputy executive manager and legal consultant and used to run different kinds of operations such as investments, accounting, legal affairs and governance.

A law enforcement officer said according to a recent internal audit, the suspect is alleged to have made overpriced receipts and bills against different services and operations and gave them to the bank before he allegedly appropriated the amounts.

“He is also alleged to have pocketed amounts pertaining administrative and legal services over bogus projects. Some of the projects were based in the UAE while others were abroad. He is also believed to have dispersed the claimant’s (GFH) funds,” the officer said.

Sources close to Haigh said he has denied all the claimant’s allegations contending that he did not commit any financial irregularity.