Newcastle United chief 'arrested' as police raid St James' Park and Upton Park in tax swoop

The training grounds and offices of West Ham United and Newcastle United were been raided early on Wednesday morning by tax officials.

HMRC have issued the following statement: “HMRC has 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. 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.

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“The French authorities are assisting the UK investigation, have made arrests and several locations have been searched in France.

“This criminal investigation sends a clear message that, whoever you are, if you commit tax fraud you can expect to face the consequences. As this is an ongoing investigation HMRC is unable to provide any further detail at this time.”

Sky understands that Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley is among those arrested.

The Magpies clinched promotion back to the Premier League this week one year after being relegated.