Birmingham owner granted bail

Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung has been granted permission to travel to Britain while he awaits trial on money laundering charges.

A bail of over one million US dollars was paid after the Hong Kong businessman’s previous bid for release failed amid fears he would abscond.

Yeung will meet with new Birmingham manager Chris Hughton and the rest of the squad during the five days he will spend in the country.

The tycoon took over at St Andrews in 2009, soon after Birmingham were promoted to the Premier League.

The club won Carling Cup last season to secure qualification for the UEFA Europa League, but returned to the Championship after being relegated from the English top flight.

Yeung has been under arrest since June and is accused of laundering over 90 million US dollars. His trial is set to take place next year.