Newcastle, West Ham Raided In N1.96 Billion Tax Probe

Newcastle United and West Ham United’s grounds have been raised in a fraud investigation.

Newcastle’s managing director Lee Charnley was among “several men within professional football” who were arrested. He was released without charge at about 17:00 BST.

The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) deployed 180 officers across the UK and France.

The suspected income tax and National Insurance fraud amounts to five million pounds (about N1.96 billion)

HMRC said it searched premises in the north-east and south-east of England and seized business records, financial records, computers and mobile phones.

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 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.

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.

Newcastle United confirmed “a member of its staff has been assisting HMRC with their inquiries” but said it would be making “no further comment at this time”.

“In a statement, West Ham United said it was “co-operating fully with HMRC to assist their inquiries” but there had been no arrests.

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.

“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.

“As this is an ongoing investigation, HMRC is unable to provide any further detail at this time.”

Newcastle was promoted to the Premier League on Monday, just 348 days after relegation.

According to its 2015-16 accounts, the club had a turnover of 126 million pounds and paid out 75 million pounds in players’ wages and recorded pre-tax loss of 4.1 million pounds.

HMRC raided West Ham’s offices at the London Olympic Stadium where the club moved in August, having played at Upton Park since 1904.

Companies House figures for the 2015-16 show it turned over 142 million pounds paid out 85 million pounds in player’s wages and made a pre-tax loss of 4.8 million pounds.

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.