Two football clubs have been raided by HM Revenue & Customs over a suspected £5m income tax and National Insurance fraud.
HMRC has not identified the two clubs but they are understood to be West Ham United and Newcastle United.
A spokesman for HMRC said 180 officers were deployed in a series of raids across the UK and France.
He said: “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.”
West Ham and Newcastle have been contacted for comment.
damian.fantato@ft.com
