Inside the Football tax fraud probe
English football was rocked on Wednesday as 180 HM Revenue and Customs officers were deployed around the UK and France to make arrests and search premises.
Here, we detail the story so far, what has been said and who is involved.
Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley has been arrested while West Ham’s London Stadium has also raided by authorities.
Charnley is implicated in a tax investigation into football with the Hammers also under scrutiny after 180 police officers were dispatched for the ‘significant’ investigation.
West Ham’s Rush Green training ground and offices at the London Stadium were raided on Wednesday morning.
Documents seized by police include computers, mobile phones and business and financial records.
HMRC says the arrests are in relation to “suspected Income Tax and National Insurance fraud”.
HMRC officials also visited Chelsea on Wednesday, requesting information. No items were seized.
It is understood there is no allegation of wrongdoing by anyone associated with the Premier League leaders.
