David Haigh's recent detention in Dubai reminds me very much of John Landis's brilliant 1983 film "Trading Places" where a high-flying stockbroker is discredited and replaced by an impoverished black guy from the ghetto, in a bizarre social experiment instigated by the vile Duke Brothers.

However the reality is for Haigh is that he has traded his jet-set life of luxury for a grim Dubai Jail, believed to be Dubai's Central Prison. He has been detained there now for 7-weeks without charge following his arrest at former employers GFH capital's Headquarters on May 18th.

Haigh unwittingly arrived in Dubai on the expectation of being offered a new role with GFH following his exit from LUFC after Massimo Cellino took over, Haigh resigned as MD of the club following the Sardinians arrival.

GFH alleged that Haigh, 36 oversaw financial mismanagement to the value of $5m (£3m). It is also claimed that he fabricated at least 55 invoices to secure payments to five different bank accounts. The allegations relate to events prior to his arrival at Elland Road in December 2012 when GFH formally took over the ownership of the club from Ken Bates.

Haigh robustly denies the allegations, through his spokesman Ian Monk he claimed he had compiled a dossier implicating other members of staff at GFH of financial irregularities something two senior figures within the group were aware of. Earlier on Monday, Jinesh Patel GFH's CEO refuted Haigh's claims saying: "I have been in touch with the board. I have been in touch with my group CEO and everybody else that's senior there. There has been no dossier or any dossier that has been provided by Mr Haigh to any senior individuals at GFH.

"Having said that if there are any allegations of misconduct or any allegations that Mr Haigh feels need to be brought to the attention of the authorities we would welcome him to do so."

Although Haigh has expressed he feels "trapped", he claims to have no quarrel with the Dubai authorities. Ultimately his continued detention rests with them as they decide whether or not criminal proceedings should be instigated against Haigh, who claims to be a lifelong Leeds fan from Beeston.

Haigh claims to be sharing facilities with around 40 other detainees. On the official UK government website Haigh may have to wear a white uniform and purchase shoes from a prison shop. He has complained of illness following a stomach operation in the UK prior to his detention. He has also complained of dental pain and needing medication to sleep.

His bail is set at £3.5m, money he does not have. His friends and supporters have started an e-petition demanding his release. Given his support for the Conservative party he seems in short supply of friends in high-places right now.

Although it is now Ramadan, Mr Haigh can still expect three-meals a day whilst in custody in the Islamic UAE.

The detainedindubai.org website paints a bleaker picture of what Haigh may be experiencing, "Simon" shared his experiences claiming “Firstly let me tell you what to expect, in the police stations they are way overcrowded at the moment, you will not get a bed, you’ll be lucky to get a blanket, you’ll be sharing a bed space with others."

He also claims that fights are common place, but usually amongst Arabs. Mr Haigh may also be allowed to visit the shop twice a week, where then prices are "reasonable", he also claims that breakfast consisting of bread with a boiled egg, yoghurt or cheese, lunch which may be rice, veg, meat or chicken and supper of sausages, veg curry and rice is consumed from metal trays by hand. A far cry from the splendour of the Elland Road Directors Lounge on match days I fear.

So what do you think? Many fans turned on Haigh for his alleged poor running of the club and his decision to issue a winding up petition against the club through his Sports Capital firm, however is he merely a Brit abroad being grossly mistreated by a harsh punitive regime?

Photo: Action Images

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