Mr Redknapp's lawyers have alleged that police were acting on the strength of an unlawful warrant.

They also alleged that police tipped off the press in advance of the raid, but this claim has been rejected by the court.

Lord Justice Latham and Mr Justice Underhill heard that the 6am search of Redknapp's house in Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, last November was caught on camera by Sun photographers, as was his departure from Chichester police station after being bailed later the same day.

In a judicial review hearing, Mr Redknapp and his wife Sandra challenged a decision by City of London Court to issue the warrant, and its execution by City of London Police.

Lawyers argued that, for legal reasons relating to the nature of the material being sought by the police, the City court had had "no power" to issue the warrant.

A total of nine people are on bail in connection with a continuing police inquiry involving searches at a number of football club premises, including Portsmouth.