Premiership footballers' Spanish holiday homes face demolition over corruption scandal

The Valle Romano complex -where leading Premiership stars Paul Robinson,   Michael Brown and David Bentley have homes - is being investigated as part of   Operation Astapa.

The scandal has so far seen the resignation of the Estepona mayor and 40 arrests,  including the boss of Valle Romano Luis Linares.

Problems: England footballers David Bentley, left, and Paul Robinson are said to have bought property on the exclusive Spanish resort

It  will come as a massive embarrassment for a number of leading clubs, including  Arsenal, Aston Villa and West Ham, who have endorsed the Village  development  within the Valle Romano project.

If deemed illegal the scheme, which claims to be 'one of the most  sought-after  destinations for sports stars around the globe', could be  scrapped and the homes  demolished.

Other owners who have recently bought in the upmarket golf development include  Irish  captain Ian Harte, Real Madrid stars Raul and Roberto Carlos, golfer  Seve  Ballesteros and Sky Sports presenters Jeff Stelling and Clare  Tomlinson.

England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has recently opened his Football Academy   within the 300-acre site, that features a sports centre, spa and 18-hole golf  course.

Dream home nightmare: The Valle Romano complex in Estepona on the southern coast of Spain

At the launch last year he told a glitzy audience, including Nell McAndrew and Aaron Lennon: 'The Village  is going to be the ultimate place to train and  relax, a development I am really  excited to be part of.

'The difference it  offers me is the balance between being able to train on one  of the football  pitches, practice my swing on the golf course and relax by the  pool with my  family.'

But this might now be a pipe dream after boss Linares was arrested and charged  with fraud  and the misappropriation of funds.

According to reports, developers behind the scheme were able to have part  of  the land reclassified after a series of meetings with the  mayor.

Linares has been accused of paying a series of cash backhanders and has  been  bailed for the sum of 500,000 euros.

Owners: Wigan's Michael Brown, left, and Real Madrid ace Raul

Two  lawyers working for him, Armando Pérez and Daniel Delgado,  have also been  charged with fraud, misuse of funds and influence  peddling.

They have been  bailed for 100,000 euros each.

The  development is one of 30 schemes that has come under close scrutiny since   detectives started investigating the town two years ago.

The socialist mayor resigned after being  accused of bribary, corruption, money  laundering and trafficking of  influences.

The doctor, 47, who has been in charge of Estepona  since 2001, is said to have  overseen a huge 'Caja B' - black money system -  where developers paid millions  for construction licences.

One witness told El Pais newspaper that the mayor  travelled around with a  flunkey, 'who was in charge of handling envelopes full  of cash'.

The investigation is said to similar to Marbella's  Operation Malaya, in which  over 100 people were arrested in a two billion euro  scandal.

Affected: Sky Sports presenters Jeff Stelling and Clare Tomlinson

So far dozens of bank accounts have been frozen  and up to 50 properties seized.

Among the alleged crimes is the reclassifying of  land to be sold off to  contacts at below market prices.

It was reported that up to 1500 cases of illegal  construcion are currently  pending in the town.

The operation was launched by Estepona court in  secret in November 2006 and  has involved a number of phone taps.

Police are said to have videoed clandestine  meetings between the mayor and  various businessmen in bars in Puerto Banus over  the last year.

If proved true the scheme could be in danger of  demolition, according to  seasoned financial investigator Gwilym Rhys Jones, who  is based in Estepona.

He said: 'The whole front bench and half the  council are accused of taking  bribes and backhanders to re-zone land and give  permissions.

'The next logical step is to reverse it all. It  happens time and time again  down here. And it is not always the higher  authorities.

'If the PP Conservative  party gets in next month they will do it all  just out of spite.

'In Marbella 12000 illegal properties are still at  risk, with dozens of  developments likely to be demolished. It could be the same  in Estepona.

'This could be the kiss of death for Valle  Romano.'