Birmingham boss Alex McLeish admits corruption probes have become "part of football life" after his club were engulfed in off-the-field controversy.

Co-owner David Sullivan and managing director Karren Brady were arrested by detectives investigating alleged corruption in English football on Wednesday and vehemently denied any wrongdoing yesterday.

And McLeish has given his backing to his under-fire bosses saying: "It has not been that unusual over the last year or so. I think we have seen other incidents, shall we say. I am sure Karren and David will be okay out of this."

Detectives confirmed they arrested a 59-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting, but refused to comment on exactly where and when the arrests were made. The pair were released on bail, police confirmed.

A statement from City of London Police said the arrests were made "as part of the City of London Police's ongoing investigation into football corruption".

Mr Sullivan said he was "shocked" and branded the police statement "very unfair".

Speaking from his office at home in Theydon Bois in Essex, he said: "I'm shocked by the whole thing.

"The police statement was very unfair.

"It is to do with two foreign players and the PAYE on those players. This is a complicated tax matter.

"We answered every single question they put to us. We have absolutely nothing to hide. We have done nothing wrong, and we think in due course this will be proven."