Premier League tax investigation sees over half of 20 clubs probed over deals worth hundreds of millions
Newcastle and West Ham were raided by HMRC in April, with Chelsea also in the Revenue's sights
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MORE than half of the 20 Premier League clubs are at the centre of a tax probe dubbed the “biggest in British football history”.
Newcastle and West Ham were raided by HMRC in April, with Chelsea also in the Revenue’s sights.
But we can reveal tax inspectors have since demanded FA transfer records linked to up to TEN more top-flight clubs.
No warrants were sought or issued, with FA chiefs keen to be seen to co-operate.
Sources last night described the scale and pace of the inquiry as “frightening”.
It is thought to centre on transfers totalling hundreds of millions.
Several involve deals for French stars, including Spurs’ ex-Newcastle ace Moussa Sissoko and ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba.
Other transfers that have been probed include Toon signings Davide Santon, Sylvain Marveaux and Papiss Cisse.
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HMRC fears some agents, clubs and players may have conspired to dodge millions in tax by hiding money from them during deals.
The inquiry, codenamed Operation Loom, is running alongside a separate investigation into players’ image rights deals. And it means some of football’s biggest names could soon be facing an early morning knock at the door.
Mark Taylor, a former top HMRC investigator, told The Sun: “When I was at the Revenue I worked on the investigation into Swindon Town in the 1990s.
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“But in comparison this is without a shadow of a doubt the biggest tax investigation in British football history.
“My prediction is HMRC will decide to proceed criminally in the strongest cases and take civil action to recover lost revenue in others. It will choose targets carefully.”
Football was rocked in April when 180 taxmen took part in dawn raids in Newcastle, London and France.
Court papers show that HMRC had “reasonable grounds for the belief NUFC was engaged in criminality” and “tax evasion”. “Sham” contracts are said to have hidden payments made by the club, meaning the tax system was “systematically abused” between 2010-13.
Toon managing director Lee Charnley was also arrested at his home.
He was quizzed all day before being released.
Court papers also show HMRC experts believe Charnley “could not be trusted”.
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The training ground and St James’ Park were searched along with West Ham’s London Stadium.
In France, Marveaux was quizzed — as were three agents — but released without charge.
Tax inspectors are now sifting through thousands of emails, handwritten notes and letters from clubs being investigated.
Last night HMRC said: “All clubs are required to be transparent with us about their transfers and there are consequences if they’re not.”
After the April raids, Newcastle said: “We can confirm a member of staff has been assisting HMRC with inquiries.”
West Ham said the club would co-operate fully with HMRC. Chelsea said: “HMRC requested certain information which the club will provide.”