Newcastle United and West Ham United have been targeted by HMRC for alleged Tax and National Insurance fraud.

Officers are understood to have raided the offices at St James’s Park and the London Stadium this morning and it’s reported Lee Charnley, Managing Director of newly promoted Newcastle United, is one of those arrested as part of the investigation.

A statement released by HMRC read:

“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.

“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.”

As yet there has been no statement from either club.