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Arrests as Newcastle and West Ham raided in tax probe | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Newcastle United and West Ham United's grounds have been raided in a fraud investigation, resulting in several arrests. | |
HMRC said it deployed 180 officers across the UK and France, and several men working within professional football had been held. | |
It searched premises in the north east and south east of England. | |
Business records, financial records, computers and mobile phones had also been seized. | |
The arrests were connected to a suspected income tax and National Insurance fraud, a spokesman said. | |
West Ham United said in a statement the club was "cooperating fully with HMRC to assist their inquiries." | |
BBC Sports editor Dan Roan has tweeted that West Ham United was one of the clubs involved. | BBC Sports editor Dan Roan has tweeted that West Ham United was one of the clubs involved. |
Newcastle United's St. James' Park ground has also been searched. | Newcastle United's St. James' Park ground has also been searched. |
In a statement, HMRC said it had arrested "several men working within the professional football industry for a suspected income tax and national insurance fraud". | In a statement, HMRC said it had arrested "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 added. | "180 HMRC officers have been deployed across the UK and France today," the statement added. |
"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. | "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. |
"The French authorities are assisting the UK investigation, have made arrests and several locations have been searched in France. | "The French authorities are assisting the UK investigation, have made arrests and several locations have been searched in France. |
"This criminal investigation sends a clear message that, whoever you are, if you commit tax fraud you can expect to face the consequences. | "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." | "As this is an ongoing investigation, HMRC is unable to provide any further detail at this time." |
Newcastle were promoted to the Premier League on Monday, just 348 days after relegation. | |
HMRC raided West Ham's offices at the London Olympic Stadium where the club moved in August, having played at Upton Park since 1904. |