True, Sabina Slonkova (who, in the event, was unharmed) had been digging up dirt for the daily Mlada fronta Dnes on deals Mr Srba had helped to cut.

ECONOMIST: A Czech scandal

Earlier this year, leading daily newspaper Mlada Fronta published transcripts of what it said were secretly recorded phone conversations between Mr. Janousek and the then mayor of Prague, Pavel Bem, and other city officials.

WSJ: The Prague Crony Safari Chronicles Lifestyles of the Rich and Infamous

But the newly promoted Tangerines, who make their Premier League bow at Wigan on Saturday, announced on Wednesday the capture of Manchester United's Craig Cathcart, Elliot Grandin from CSKA Sofia, Monaco's Malaury Martin and and Ludovic Sylvestre from Czech side Mlada Boleslav.

BBC: Blackpool boss Ian Holloway dismisses quit rumours