The UK Parliament’s Treasury Committee has written to JP Marks, permanent secretary of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), to inquire about the potential tax implications arising from the Premier League’s findings against Manchester City. The inquiry questions whether the club paid the correct amount of tax and national insurance across the nine seasons in which they were found to have breached financial rules.
Parliamentary Inquiry and Demands for Reassurance
In an official letter led by Dame Meg Hillier MP, the Treasury Committee requested an unredacted version of the Premier League’s report and asked for reassurance that HMRC recognizes the high public interest and significance of the case. Additionally, the committee has asked for a broader overview of HMRC’s current oversight regarding football clubs, including common taxation and remuneration practices found within the sector. HMRC has been given a deadline of Thursday, October 15, to respond.
Background of the Investigation
The scrutiny follows a long-running investigation initially triggered in 2018 by hacked internal emails published by the German magazine Der Spiegel. The leaks suggested that former manager Roberto Mancini, who managed the club from 2009 to 2013, received a secondary income stream via a connected Italian company for consultancy services with Abu Dhabi-based club Al Jazira, alongside his £1.45m net salary from Manchester City.
Manchester City continues to deny any wrongdoing and intends to formally appeal the verdict.
