A record 329 professional footballers are reportedly under investigation for suspected tax avoidance with Premier League stars among those being scrutinised.
That figure has increased from just 93 the previous year, showing a dramatic rise in the English game. HMRC are also said to be investigating 31 clubs and 91 agents after appointing a team of fraud experts to work with the FA's Football Compliance Project.
It's claimed HMRC's new team will focus on tax avoidance linked to image rights. Clubs are alleged to have paid players extra using their image in endorsements, which is sometimes paid to a firm the player sets up rather than an individual. Firms are subject to 19 per cent Corporation Tax rather than 45 per cent high-earner Income Tax.
