HMRC have instigated raids of two major British football clubs, relating to a £5 million fraud allegation as part of a wider investigation into professional football.
According to reports, HM Revenue and Customs officers were deployed at 6.30am on Wednesday to both the training ground and main offices of Newcastle United at St James’ Park, and the London Stadium near Romford which plays host to West Ham United.
In a statement, HMRC said it had made the arrest of “several men working within the professional football industry for a suspected income tax and national insurance fraud”.
“180 HMRC officers have been deployed across the UK and France today,” the statement continued.
“Investigators have searched a number of premises in the north east and south east of England and arrested the men and also seized business records, financial records, computers and mobile phones.
HMRC is set to look into transfers as far back as seven years ago, as part of the extensive investigation into transfers between French and UK footballing clubs.
“The French authorities are assisting the UK investigation, have made arrests and several locations have been searched in France”, HMRC confirmed.
Newcastle’s managing director Lee Charnley has been among those arrested, just two days after the club’s promotion back to the Premier League after a triumphant 4-1 victory against Preston.
Individual arrests have yet to made however, at West Ham United.
“This criminal investigation sends a clear message that, whoever you are, if you commit tax fraud you can expect to face the consequences.
“As this is an ongoing investigation, HMRC is unable to provide any further detail at this time.”
West Ham said in the statement they are “cooperating fully with HMRC to assist their inquiries”, but declined to comment specifically with regards to the tax fraud allegations.
The investigation is part of a wider investigation into tax fraud in professional football and is said to also include other UK footballing clubs.