LONDON - Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie appeared in court on Monday to face charges of tax evasion over a 2003 transfer deal.

Storrie spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth when he appeared before City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London, the Press Association reported.

He is accused of defrauding Britain's tax office by concealing the payment of a signing-on fee made to Senegalese midfielder Amdy Faye when he joined from French club Auxerre.

Storrie, who has publicly denied the charge, was released on unconditional bail.

Portsmouth are languishing at the bottom of the Premier League.

Last month the club was taken over by Saudi businessman Ali al Faraj who bought 90 percent of its shares from Suleiman al-Fahim who had struggled to refinance Portsmouth's debt.