A cross-party group of MPs has called on His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to investigate potential tax implications stemming from the Premier League’s investigation into Manchester City. This development follows Tuesday’s confirmation that an independent commission found the club guilty of 114 out of 115 charges concerning breaches of financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
The Treasury Committee, which oversees the tax authority, is questioning whether HMRC has requested access to the redacted documents featured in the commission’s report. Committee chair Dame Meg Hillier emphasized that she would welcome reassurance from the agency that it understands the significant public interest surrounding these findings and is actively addressing the matter.
The investigation into the club’s financial conduct concluded that Manchester City used specific devices to mask the true scale of various liabilities. Furthermore, the commission determined that the club artificially boosted its revenue by entering into deceptive sponsorship agreements facilitated by its owners. While Manchester City has consistently denied any wrongdoing, the club has indicated its intention to file an appeal by the coming Friday.
The inquiry from the Treasury Committee follows a report released by Tax Policy Associates, which alleges the club avoided paying up to £12m in tax linked to a questionable contract with former manager Roberto Mancini. The report suggests that when including unpaid National Insurance and income tax, alongside potential penalty charges, Manchester City could face total tax liabilities reaching £24m.
