{
  "id": 14917979,
  "title": "HMRC investigations into football net extra £110m",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/hmrc-investigations-into-football-net-extra-110m",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-16T08:49:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/hmrc-investigations-into-football-net-extra-110m/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UK's tax authority, HMRC, conducted 68 tax investigations in the football industry during the year ending April, resulting in an additional £110 million in tax revenue, according to new data obtained through a Freedom of Information request. The number of investigations dropped from the previous period, which saw 118 cases. These investigations targeted players, clubs, and agents, with HMRC gaining an extra £13 million from 40 player investigations, £87 million from 11 club investigations, and £10 million from 17 agent investigations. The figure represents a significant increase from £2 million the previous year in agent-related investigations. The data comes as questions arise over whether Manchester City could face further tax investigations following a guilty verdict by an independent panel for over 100 financial charges. The Commons Treasury Committee has requested HMRC chief JP Marks CB to consider retrospectively looking at Manchester City's financial situation, to which HMRC has assured the committee of their ongoing constructive work with football bodies. It is anticipated that image rights payments will be taxed as employment income from April 2027, as legislative changes are set to take effect. Elliott Buss, a partner at UHY Hacker Young, commented on the prevalence of tax avoidance schemes in professional football, stating that HMRC's scrutiny is extensive but not exhaustive. Agents' fees have become a primary focus for HMRC due to the substantial sums involved, and they are closely monitoring potential tax evasion and avoidance cases. An HMRC spokesperson emphasized that their goal is to ensure everyone pays the legally required tax, regardless of their status, and that they continue to collaborate with the football industry to facilitate compliance.",
  "summary": "HMRC investigations into the UK’s football industry netted the organisation an extra £110m last season, new data has claimed. A total of 68 tax investigations were opened in the year to April across players, clubs and agents – down on 118 from the previous accounting period – and netted an extra £110m for HMRC coffers, [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}