Court rejects Newcastle United’s legal challenge to tax raids

Newcastle United has lost a High Court challenge over document seizures by tax officials investigating the finances of football clubs.
Officials from HMRC, the body responsible for the United Kingdom’s tax collection, raided Newcastle United and West Ham United in April.
Several men were arrested then for suspected Income Tax and National Insurance fraud.
The HMRC said at the time that French authorities were assisting their efforts and searches had been carried out in France in connection with the investigation.
The investigation centres on transfer dealings between English and French clubs.
Newcastle United had challenged the legality of HMRC’s search-and-seize orders, but the presiding judges at the hearing at Leeds Crown Court ruled on Wednesday that “the warrants were lawfully issued”.
A Newcastle United spokeswoman said in a statement that the north-east club was deciding whether to appeal.
She said: “We are disappointed with this decision given the Court’s findings.
“We are considering all of our options with our advisers, including whether to pursue an appeal.”
Newcastle United was promoted to the English Premier League in May.