The former managing director of Leeds United, David Haigh, has been arrested in Dubai after the club’s former owners GFH Capital made allegations of financial irregularities relating to the recent sale of United, The Guardian has reported.

Haigh, who denies the allegations, was arrested three days back shortly after arriving in Dubai, it said in a website report.

GFH Capital said in a statement that it "understands that a  former employee has been arrested in Dubai and charged on suspicion of fraud, embezzlement and money laundering while he was employed at the bank. 

"We are unable to provide any further details at this stage while the case is being considered by the authorities," the statement said.

GFH bought Leeds from Ken Bates in December 2012 before selling it to the Italian businessman Massimo Cellino last month. The accusations against Haigh relate to its time as owners of the club, said The Guardian report.

Haigh had previously worked for GFH Capital, a subsidiary of Gulf Finance House, but left his position with the organisation this year. He played a key role in Cellino’s takeover.

Haigh’s consortium Sport Capital, who had launched a bid to buy the club from GFH, served a winding-up order against Leeds last month over a £950,000 loan. The case will be heard in London on June 9, said the report.