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Arrests as Newcastle and West Ham raided in £5m tax probe | Arrests as Newcastle and West Ham raided in £5m tax probe |
(35 minutes later) | |
Newcastle United and West Ham United's grounds have been raided in a fraud investigation. | |
It is understood Newcastle's managing director Lee Charnley was among "several men within professional football" who were arrested. | |
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said it had deployed 180 officers across the UK and France. | |
The BBC understands the suspected income tax and National Insurance fraud amounts to £5m. | The BBC understands the suspected income tax and National Insurance fraud amounts to £5m. |
HMRC said it searched premises in the north east and south east of England, and seized business records, financial records, computers and mobile phones. | |
Football's tense history with HMRC | Football's tense history with HMRC |
West Ham's London Olympic Stadium and Newcastle's St James' Park were among the locations raided. | |
HMRC officers also visited offices belonging to Chelsea FC "in connection with its wider investigation", a club spokesman confirmed. | |
But it is understood the club's premises were not raided and no arrests were made. | |
"HMRC has requested certain information which the club will provide," the spokesman said. | |
Sources told the BBC the Magpies' managing director Mr Charnley, 39, was earlier taken away from St James' Park by officers. | |
He became the club's managing director three years ago, and has reportedly been credited with persuading manager Rafa Benitez to stay at the club. | |
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. |
In a statement, West Ham United said it was "co-operating fully with HMRC to assist their inquiries." | |
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. |
"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. | 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. | HMRC raided West Ham's offices at the London Olympic Stadium where the club moved in August, having played at Upton Park since 1904. |
In January, a Parliamentary Committee revealed 43 players, 12 clubs and eight agents were the subject of "open inquiries" by HMRC. | In January, a Parliamentary Committee revealed 43 players, 12 clubs and eight agents were the subject of "open inquiries" by HMRC. |
The Public Accounts Committee highlighted particular concerns about tax evasion in the football industry and the "misuse" of image rights to reduce tax liabilities. | The Public Accounts Committee highlighted particular concerns about tax evasion in the football industry and the "misuse" of image rights to reduce tax liabilities. |